Historic market to be refurbished with £800k grant

An £800,000 government grant will be spent on refurbishing and redeveloping a historic indoor market building.

The Grade II listed Victorian Longton Market building will benefit from improvements to the frontages of some of the shop units and fixes to a leaky roof.

Stoke-on-Trent South Labour MP Allison Gardener, who secured the money, said the future of the market was a priority for her.

"The indoor market is a crucial part of Longton's identity, a vital reminder of the town's story," she said.

Gardener added they were "thinking big" in Longton with plans not only for building upgrades, but using the space to add new accomodation, a soft play and a health hub.

Stallholders have been trading at Longton Victorian Market since 1863, and the town's market history dates back even further.

Third-generation cheese trader Sharon Titterton said stallholders had waited a long time to see plans for improvements.

Titterton said she would like her family business of 67 years to run for many more, which relied on getting younger people into the shop.

"We want to get try and get the younger generation in to see see what we've got in the market and I think once they see what we've got I think they'll want to keep coming back," she said.

The market refurbishment is scheduled to go ahead this year, and follows improvements to the town's bus station carried out in 2025.

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