Warwickshire-based law firm Wright Hassall has played a major part in the sale of a slice of the UK’s industrial heritage.
Gill Worthington, a Commercial Property partner at Wright Hassall, led the team in the sale and leaseback of its historic Middleport Pottery site in Stoke-on-Trent to the Prince’s Regeneration Trust, which involved co-operation across the firm’s property, construction and corporate teams.
Burgess Dorling & Leigh produces the world-renowned Burleighware brand of blue and white floral pottery and is a subsidiary of Denby Holdings Limited, following its acquisition led by corporate partner Robert Lee, last year.
Prince’s Regeneration Trust’s subsidiary, the United Kingdom Historic Building Preservation Trust (UKHBPT), will renovate the Grade II* listed buildings, which are over 150 years old, and will lease approximately half of the site back to Burgess Dorling & Leigh for pottery production, ensuring the site will continue to be used for its original industrial purpose, traditional skills will be preserved and Victorian machinery and other historical artefacts will be saved.
Some of the buildings at Middleport will be developed, modernised and let to other craft businesses.
A major visitor and education centre will also be developed which will create jobs and allow visitors to learn about the history and inner workings of the one of the last Victorian potteries in Britain.
Lee said: “This deal will allow Burleighware to move forward, while the Middleport site will be given a new lease of life through a considerable investment and restoration programme. It is good news for all parties and for the region.”
The acquisition has been made possible through funding from English Heritage, The Regional Growth Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund, The European Regional Development Fund and several substantial private donations as well as significant support from professional services firms.
