British Ceramics Biennial (BCB) has an opportunity to secure funding to enable the first phase of consultation, planning and design for the BCB Clay Building via the Pride in Place Impact Fund. This will allow us to lay the groundwork to fully understand the need for and the beneficial impact of this new development. We are seeking community involvement and support in this initial process so we can make the case for this important early investment, which will be fundamental to bringing the BCB Clay Building to life.
About the Pride in Place Impact Fund
The council is inviting residents, individuals, community groups, and local organisations to put forward nominations for projects that will make a real difference to their local area. Whether it is breathing new life into a much-loved community building, enhancing a park or playground, or revitalising a high street, the Pride in Place Impact Fund is your opportunity to help shape the future of your neighbourhood. The deadline for nominations is midnight, Sunday 1 March 2026.
The BCB Clay Building
As part of BCB’s vision of making change through clay, we are working to develop the BCB Clay Building. This new space will allow us to create opportunities to collaborate, build community understanding and improve wellbeing in Stoke-on-Trent. This public access facility will be based on the Spode Works site and will work alongside the existing BCB Studio. The BCB Clay Building will comprise:
- BCB Gallery (ground floor)
- BCB Learning Space (ground floor)
- BCB Artist Residency Studio (upper floors)
- BCB office (upper floors)
The BCB Clay Building will be a hub for cultural activity. We anticipate that through this new facility, we will welcome c. 5,000 visits each year.
“Any opportunity to highlight the potential that Stoke has and to build community spirit and pride in the town should be seized.”
“Very impressive!”
“This looks wonderful. I like all floors especially an artist in residency”
“What an amazing idea. I love the BCB!!!!”
The building we hope to develop is located in the heart of the Spode Works site in Stoke town. Its address is Building 3, Spode Works, Church Street, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 1BU. You’ll find the building by entering the Spode Works site through the original factory gates on Church Street. Pass under the low arch and the building is just ahead of you, slightly to the left. Over the centuries, the building has been a base of manufacturing, storage, the works canteen and a restaurant.
BCB now aims to bring the building back to life for the benefit of local residents, as well as those working in and visiting the city. The building is ideally located to be a welcoming, creative facility open year-round.
On the ground floor
This is a welcoming space open all year round to anyone who wants to drop in.
BCB will host learning activities in the new space giving people the opportunity to explore processes and ideas central to contemporary ceramic practice. They’ll also be able to try out some of these ideas in the nearby BCB Studio.
Through our year-round programmes taking place across the city, BCB supports people to express themselves and make a wide range of artworks. We’ll use the gallery space in the BCB Clay Building to share these artworks with the public. Whenever you drop by the BCB Clay Building there will be something interesting and inspiring to enjoy in the gallery space.
On the upper floors
This space will be used by invited artists in residence and the BCB team.
BCB works with contemporary artists throughout the UK and the wider world. Some of these artists work with us for extended periods and the upper floors of the BCB Clay Building will be their base. The artist residency studio will allow artists to stay in Stoke-on-Trent to develop their work. There will be modest living accommodation alongside a private studio space for visiting artists to use.
The building will also house the BCB staff team, so there will always be expertise on hand right where we need it.
These new facilities will allow BCB to do more work to
- Provide opportunities for creative collaboration
- Connect people and build understanding
- Help people to improve their wellbeing
These are all outcomes of the BCB Impact Framework that informs everything we do.
Find out more about the BCB Impact Framework.
Please email info@britishceramicsbiennial.com if you have any questions.