The UK was the first country to industrialise and at its height in the 19th Century it led the world in technological and engineering innovation.

To house expanding industries, from cotton manufacturing to ship building, factories and warehouses emerged from our rural landscapes creating temples to this brave new industrial age.

But with the decline of industry came the decline of these often magnificent buildings. But at the Heritage Lottery Fund we believe that with the right vision and investment these buildings offer incredible potential to revive local economies. Across the country we’ve been investing National Lottery money in their future and the results are really paying-off.

Middleport Pottery, Burslem

Now home to the Great Pottery Throw Down, Middleport Pottery is one of the oldest working Victorian potteries in the UK. But the picture wasn’t always so rosy. The Grade II* listed buildings were almost lost forever when they fell into disrepair. With the site under threat, in 2011 the Prince's Regeneration Trust began to put together a £9million funding package, which included £1.5million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to buy and fully restore it.

Today over half the site is leased back to Burgess & Leigh Ltd. and the world-renowned Burleigh pottery continues to be produced there, just as it has since 1888. 

Find out more on the Middleport Pottery website.

The Coffin Works, Birmingham

Once languishing on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, The Newman Brothers Coffin Works in Birmingham reopened this year following a major restoration funded by a £1million National Lottery grant.

Built in 1894, the Grade II* listed Coffin Works was the most prestigious manufacturer of coffin fittings in the world, and its products adorned of the coffins of Sir Winston Churchill, Joseph Chamberlain and the Queen Mother.

Newman Brothers closed its doors in 1999. Now, the factory has been brought back to life by the Birmingham Conservation Trust. 

Find out more on the Coffin Works website.

Industrial Heritage

In partnership with the Princes Regeneration Trust and Historic England, we recently hosted Reviving Places by Reusing Industrial Heritage. A major UK conference, it explored how industrial buildings such as former potteries, warehouses and factories are central to our local identities and have the potential to promote local economic prosperity.

To find out more visit Industrial Heritage Conference 2015 website or join the conversation on Twitter @IHCUK15 and via the hashtag: #IHCUK15.