Law firm Pinsent Masons supported The Prince’s Regeneration Trust acting by its subsidiary United Kingdom Historic Building Preservation Trust in its acquisition of Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent.

The Prince’s Regeneration Trust will manage and deliver this £7.5 million project on behalf of UKBHPT.

Burgess, Dorling & Leigh, a subsidiary of Denby Holdings, the pottery company based in Middleport, produces the world renowned Burleigh brand of blue and white floral pottery.

Middleport Pottery has been at serious risk of closure which would have seen the loss of jobs and substantial buildings of historic significance would have been left to further degenerate.

The Prince’s Regeneration Trust will renovate the Grade II-listed buildings, which are over 150 years old, and will lease approximately half of the site back to Burgess Dorling & Leigh for pottery production.

Thus the site will continue to be used for its original industrial purpose, traditional skills will be preserved and Victorian machinery and other historical artefacts will be saved.

The majority of the remaining buildings at Middleport will be developed, modernised and let to other craft businesses.

This will stimulate regeneration in the area by increasing employment opportunities and attracting new business.

A major visitor and education centre will also be developed which will create jobs and allow local people and visitors to learn about the history and inner workings of the one of the last Victorian potteries in Britain.

The acquisition has been made possible through funding from English Heritage, the Regional Growth Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund , the European Regional Development Fund and several substantial private donations and significant support from Pinsent Masons and others.

Arthur Lovitt, head of real estate at Pinsent Masons said: “As one of the leading lawyers in the real estate sector, we are delighted to provide our support on a pro bono basis to vital heritage schemes such as this.

“We wholeheartedly support the work of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust and are delighted to have been able to support them.”

Peter Jenkins, finance director of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, said: “This has been a very significant project for the Trust and Pinsent Masons has provided us with terrific support and commitment over the last few months.

“Their willingness to undertake this project on a pro bono basis has been very much appreciated.”