Josiah Wedgwood statue to be restored for prime location

The iconic statue of Josiah Wedgwood on Station Road in Stoke is to be temporarily removed, restored and then re-positioned in front of the station entrance to provide a welcoming feature for visitors to the city.

The new, more prominent position will signal to visitors the unique heritage and cultural identity of the city and focus of civic pride. The location has been planned and approved as part of the improvements to the station gateway where works are taking place to create a sense of arrival and a safer, more attractive environment linking the station to the city centre. Station Road redevelopment is the next stage of the £29m Transforming Cities Fund programme, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Josiah Wedgwood, born in Burslem in 1730, is a fitting symbol for the city as one of its most prominent and influential historical figures. After working in the family pottery business, Wedgwood set up on his own in 1759 at the Ivy House Works, Burslem. Such was the success of this venture that Wedgwood moved to the larger Brickhouse Works in 1762 and, in 1767, purchased land on the outskirts of Shelton that he redeveloped as the Etruria Estate, which included a model pottery works, a private residence (Etruria Hall) and housing for the workers at his factory.  

The statue was funded by public subscription and unveiled on the 24 February 1863. It shows Wedgwood holding a reproduction of the Portland Vase, an incredible 1st-century AD Roman cameo glass vessel that was loaned to Wedgwood by the 3rd Duke of Portland. Wedgwood made 50 copies in 1790, which inspired the internationally recognisable Wedgwood style and has become a symbol for the city.

The council is using a specialist contractor, skilled in carrying out restoration projects of this nature. The removal and restoration of the statue will be undertaken by Stone Central who have worked on a range of statues from Barton Square in the Trafford Centre, Manchester to Blackburn War Memorial. The removal of the Wedgwood statue has been carefully planned with its lifting scheduled for the week beginning 1st July 2024.

The restoration will involve the treatment of a small amount of copper sulphate corrosion on the bronze statue and cleaning of the sandstone plinth. A wax treatment will help protect the bronze statue for the future. The restoration and storage of the statue will be carried out at a secure facility with the correct ventilation and climate-controlled conditions.

A spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “Moving the Wedgwood statue is quite an undertaking but this has been carefully planned with heritage experts. Its new position will work with the design of the station gateway for a sense of arrival and meeting space.

“The bronze statue is a symbol of civic pride and its more prominent position will allow people to better appreciate one of the city’s greats and the unique heritage of the city as a global centre of ceramics production.”

The statue will be removed to coincide with works in front of the station entrance starting on 27 June. A full road closure of this section will be required for six weeks whilst necessary works are undertaken to an underground culvert and utilities infrastructure. More information on diversions, drop-off and parking during this time can be found at Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) | | Stoke-on-Trent.

Works to Station Road are due to be completed by Autumn 2025 when the statue will be in its new position to welcome visitors.