Another case of persistence having paid off after a decade or more of attempts, seemingly nature finally took it's course and facilitated a way in. With the best part of twenty years of disuse this is a rather nice one, basically untouched, not wrecked and just naturally decayed. The pièce de résistance of course being the amazing sign written windows of the long departed shops on the Queen Street elevation. Seemingly these have only survived as a result of a modernisation that occurred at some point during the life of the market whereby various decorative features were encased in sheets of hardboard to presumably give a "cleaner" modern look.
Unfortunately, this is another classic example of everything that is wrong with the scene. One of the bumbling local fools obviously happened upon access recently and of course immediately shared it everywhere he possibly could, hence the masses have already mobilised and a steady stream are now seemingly visiting daily. So presumably it will be sealed up very soon, which will be a blessing - at least hopefully preventing it from being trashed by savages.
Whilst various plans have been tabled ever since closure, the long term future is anybody's guess. As is the case with any long term derelict place it requires someone with a good imagination and plenty of cash. Hopefully something happens, it could potentially be a good kickstarter to bring some life back into Burslem.
Some information taken from the Victorian Society, it was placed in their 2021 top ten list of endangered buildings:
The Queen Street frontage, which houses two entrance ways to the market hall, as well as shops and first floor apartments.
Inside one of the aforementioned entrance ways.
The main market span, "reminiscent of King’s Cross station in London".
Nice datestone.
The Market Passage entrance, essentially the main entrance. Good to see the artificial flowers still blooming.
Another of the nice features being an abundance of advertising notices displayed around the building, as well as the market byelaws.
Looking from the other end of the market, all of the nice signage.
The Market Passage entrance, don't ask about the giant bear. No one seems to know why it is a thing! A fourth entrance on Keates Street also has a seemingly random mural.
Unfortunately, this is another classic example of everything that is wrong with the scene. One of the bumbling local fools obviously happened upon access recently and of course immediately shared it everywhere he possibly could, hence the masses have already mobilised and a steady stream are now seemingly visiting daily. So presumably it will be sealed up very soon, which will be a blessing - at least hopefully preventing it from being trashed by savages.
Whilst various plans have been tabled ever since closure, the long term future is anybody's guess. As is the case with any long term derelict place it requires someone with a good imagination and plenty of cash. Hopefully something happens, it could potentially be a good kickstarter to bring some life back into Burslem.
Some information taken from the Victorian Society, it was placed in their 2021 top ten list of endangered buildings:
The Queen Street frontage, which houses two entrance ways to the market hall, as well as shops and first floor apartments.
Inside one of the aforementioned entrance ways.
The main market span, "reminiscent of King’s Cross station in London".
Nice datestone.
The Market Passage entrance, essentially the main entrance. Good to see the artificial flowers still blooming.
Another of the nice features being an abundance of advertising notices displayed around the building, as well as the market byelaws.
Looking from the other end of the market, all of the nice signage.
The Market Passage entrance, don't ask about the giant bear. No one seems to know why it is a thing! A fourth entrance on Keates Street also has a seemingly random mural.
