Developers unveil plans to restore Tunstall’s historic library and baths

Plans to convert Tunstall’s former library, public baths and drill hall into apartments and community spaces have been lodged with Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The scheme, put forward by Tunstall Library Developments, would see a total of 39 new apartments built across the grade two-listed former Tunstall Library site.

If approved, 23 apartments on the scheme would be built inside the former library, with decorative features such as the building’s original signage restored, and part of the library converted into a cafe and community space.

A spa pool and gym would be built into the former public baths on Greengates Street, along with ten new apartments.

Meanwhile, plans for the former drill hall next door include conversion of the ground floor to provide a sports bar, with living space above, and a newly formed “sky bar” on the second floor will provide views towards Tunstall Memorial Gardens, the developers say.

The project was awarded £3.5m by the government’s levelling up fund in 2021, and a consultation on the proposals was held by Stoke on Trent city council in September 2024.

Tunstall’s purpose-built public library first opened to the public in 1891, having relocated from the town hall, with the building also housing the town’s schools of art and science.

But after more than 130 years serving the people of Tunstall and Stoke-on-Trent, the city council wound back the clocks in 2022, opting to relocate the library back into a refurbished town hall building.

The building has been vacant ever since, alongside the public baths building, which closed to the public in 2011 and has sat empty for the past fifteen years.

A supporting statement submitted with the plans by the developer said the scheme would bring “new life to a historic site”, adding that the proposals would deliver “measurable community benefits, including employment opportunities, public realm improvements, and cultural engagement spaces that foster civic pride and social cohesion.”

“The project would have a revitalising impact on the area while preserving and celebrating the character and key features of this Grade II Listed building within its conservation setting,” it said.

“The apartments are to be high quality market homes with retained original positive features of the building. The entire site complex will have a unique 24/7 on-site concierge to service both the apartments and the commercial units.

Architects and principle designers for the scheme are Staffordshire-based Croft Architecture.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council will decide on the scheme following the end of the statutory consultation period later this year.

Documents and plans relating to the proposals can be found on the city council’s planning portal under reference: 25/LBC/00515.