The Grade II listed assembly hall has been sensitively restored and dramatically extended with much needed foyer space provided in a striking new building alongside the Victorian hall.

The original hall and new facilities are separated by a top-lit 4 storey linear atrium foyer, traversed by slender bridges which connect the balcony levels with the new bars, WCs, stairs and lifts.

Terracotta cladding was selected to respond to the new building's brick-built neighbours and reflect Stoke’s pottery-making tradition.

Backstage facilities have also been enlarged and improved, imaginatively incorporating the adjoining sessional court's cell block.

The scheme is one of fifteen chosen in the joint CABE/English Heritage publication 'Building in Context' to represent the best examples of designing in historic areas.