WIREDGOV

A derelict pub in Stoke-on-Trent has been given a new lease of life thanks to a group of artists determined to create a community hub everyone can be proud of.

The Portland Inn project in Stoke-on-Trent was started in 2016 by artists Rebecca Davies and Anna Francis, who wanted to restore the disused pub in Portland Street, and put on arts events, workshops and exhibitions. Having received a total of £43,411 from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, covering everything from planning to programming, the artists and local volunteers will begin to revive the building which had been closed for nine years, and realise it as a community space.

With a lot of old-fashioned elbow grease, the team are getting set to bring life back to the building and now thanks to a successful community asset transfer, The Portland Inn Project CIC officially own the pub building, with a 25 year lease from the council.

Derelict houses in the Portland Street area of Hanley were recently sold off by Stoke City Council for £1, with the view to help first-time buyers - but also to change the fortunes of the area. The artists behind The Portland Inn project felt this influx of new people and ambition for the area to change for the better meant there was real need to create spaces and activities for the community to enjoy together. Both women have a strong personal connection to the project too – Anna lives in one of the £1 homes, and London-based artist Rebecca has recently moved to the area to help make the Portland Inn a success.

So, with support from Arts Council, Stoke City Council, Appetite Stoke, AirSpace Gallery and My Community Matters, The Portland Inn will now be used as a community centre and cultural hub. The pub sits at the heart of a residential area, home to a diverse community from cultures including Kurdistan, Poland and Romania, and all local residents will have a say in its future. With funding secured, a temporary building opposite the pub will be built to offer artists and practitioners a space to try out different activities and workshops – and pinpoint exactly what the community most want from the project. It will also be a space to develop architectural designs for the pub building.

Plans for the former pub include hosting performance and dance classes, community clay workshops, training courses and keep-fit activities. They also plan to link up with local services, such as housing support and police officers, making space for meetings.

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