A landmark clock tower in Stoke-on-Trent has received a focused round of conservation work that puts masonry repair front and center. The 16-metre-high Tunstall Clock Tower, a Grade II listed structure, recently completed essential works after more than 130 years of exposure to the elements took a toll on parts of its masonry.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council said the restoration formed part of its response to a declared “heritage emergency,” a push to protect the historic assets that shape the city’s identity. Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure, planning and regeneration, said the clock tower has stood at the heart of Tunstall for generations and that restoring it supports wider regeneration in the town center.
On the building side, the completed work targeted the tower’s base, where time and weather had affected sections of the masonry. Crews carefully realigned the stonework, then cleaned it to remove built-up dirt and biological growth while protecting the historic fabric.
The project also included specialist repointing using traditional materials. That work tightened up the joints, strengthened the structure, and added protection against water damage ahead of future public realm improvements. For mason contractors and restoration crews, it is a clear reminder that joint work and moisture control stay at the center of long-term performance on heritage stonework.
Beyond the masonry scope, the work followed repairs to the historic chime mechanism, which rang again in February after being out of action since November 2024. The clock faces were also realigned so the clock keeps correct time.
Stoke-on-Trent was the first city in the UK to declare a “heritage emergency” in January, calling for a £325m investment to save historic sites.
Read the full, original article from Stoke Nub News here.