News Time-Lapse Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent, a city in Staffordshire, England, has a rich history spanning several centuries. Its development is closely linked to the pottery industry, earning it the nickname “The Potteries.”
In the early 13th century, Stoke-on-Trent began as a collection of small villages. The discovery of abundant local clay and coal resources in the 17th century set the stage for the area’s transformation into a major pottery centre. By the 18th century, the industry had grown significantly, with notable figures like Josiah Wedgwood revolutionising pottery production. The innovations in ceramic techniques and the establishment of factories marked this period.
The 19th century saw further industrial growth. The construction of the Trent and Mersey Canal in the 1770s facilitated the transport of raw materials and finished goods, boosting the local economy. The arrival of the railway in the mid-19th century accelerated industrial development, allowing Stoke-on-Trent to export its ceramics worldwide. The population grew rapidly as workers flocked to the area, and urbanisation increased.
The 20th century brought both challenges and modernisation. The pottery industry faced competition from abroad, leading to a decline in some traditional manufacturing. However, the city diversified its economy, incorporating other industries and services. Post-World War II, urban renewal projects aimed to address housing shortages and improve infrastructure. The amalgamation of the six towns—Stoke, Hanley, Burslem, Tunstall, Longton, and Fenton—into the single entity of Stoke-on-Trent in 1910 formalised the city’s structure.
In recent decades, Stoke-on-Trent has focused on regeneration and cultural revival. Efforts to preserve its industrial heritage have been coupled with initiatives to attract new businesses and tourism. Educational institutions like Staffordshire University play a significant role in the local economy. While the pottery industry remains an integral part of its identity, Stoke-on-Trent continues to adapt and evolve in response to changing economic and social landscapes.
Time-lapse photography has been a valuable tool in documenting the continued development of Stoke-on-Trent, capturing the city’s transformation over the years. At Time-Lapse Systems we have captured a number of regeneration and restoration projects, as-well as work in the education, infrastructure and healthcare sectors in the city. We have also documented schemes that look to preserve and celebrate the city’s industrial heritage. These time-lapse videos serve not only as a record of physical changes but also as a means of engaging the public with the city’s rich history.
We are delighted that our time-lapse photography has provided a unique and comprehensive view of Stoke-on-Trent’s development, offering a dynamic perspective on its ongoing transformation. Here we delve a little deeper into some of the interesting projects we have captured in this city.
Alton Towers Time-Lapse and a range of Specialised Filming and Photography Projects
We have a long-standing relationship with Alton Towers and over the years they have trusted us to time-lapse a vast number of projects for them such as a variety of events at the theme park, hotels, the Splash Landings indoor water park, as-well as a range of other filming and promotional projects such as Oktoberfest and the build of their stargazing pods and the Enchanted Village wooden lodges. We have also documented important construction work on Nemesis Sub-Terra, Nemesis Reborn, Wickerman, Thirteen, Smiler, Gangster Granny: The Ride, Galatica and Sharkbait Reef to name only a few. Our team also used our specialist photography including, 360° capture to document the Conga River Rapids ride, as-well as important restoration work on a stain glass window in the grand house which was once the ancestral seat of the Earl of Shrewsbury.
Bet 365 Stadium
We have also filmed a number of projects at the Bet 365 stadium, the home of Stoke City FC. This all-seater stadium has the capacity for over 30,000 spectators and was officialy opened in 1997 by legendary stoke city player Sir Stanley Matthews. Our team captured the the flow of visitors entering and leaving the stadium, giving our client a visual record of excited football fans in this important sports venue.
Hanley Bus Station
We also time-lapsed the construction of the new city centre bus station in Hanley. This £15 million project was built on the former John Street car park and features a distinctive curved shape. This build was part of an extensive regeneration project in the city and offers a coherent interchange for the area.
Old Victoria Ground Specialist Media
Our work with Stoke City FC has been extensive and we have also provided specialist media for the developers of the Old Victoria Ground site, allowing them to map their new work against the layout of the former sports venue.
Hanley Museum- Spitfire
We also time-lapsed the reassembly and installation of the Spitfire RW388 at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. The Spitfire was removed from the museum in 2018 to undergo extensive restoration. Over the course of three days the spitfire was re-homed in a new 3,800 sq.ft extension allowing the aircraft to be seen to passers-by through a new double glazed window. We particularly love how this project celebrates the rich history of the area and the famous notable figure, Reginald Mitchell, who designed the spitfire.
Staffordshire University- Catalyst Building
We have also time-lapsed the newly created, Catalyst building at Staffordshire University. This new 8,800 sq.m, four storey building offers a flexible, high-quality, digitally enabled space. On the site of the former Brindley building, this will be the area that a number of apprenticeship programmes will be delivered as well as community events and food outlets.
Longton Primary Health Care Centre
We have been on-hand to document the full construction of a new primary care centre in Longton. This new £5 million state-of-the-art NHS facility will cater to 20,000 patients in the area. Works are still on-going and it will provide essential pharmacy, walk-in services as-well as appointments with GP’s. We work extensively for the healthcare sector throughout the British Isles documenting a range of different projects.
Capital & Centric- Goods Yard
We are currently capturing development work by Capital & Centric at the Goods Yard in Stoke-on-Trent. On the former site of a goods warehouse, this space has been revitalised to provide 174 homes, 30,000 sq. ft of workspace and several retail units for bars and coffee shops, as well as a public park area. Goods Yard is situated near Stoke-on-Trent train station and offers views of the nearby canal. We particularly like the industrial architectural design of this building which pays homage to its original purpose and shows how historic buildings can be re-worked for modern living.
East-West Precinct Demolition
We not only capture exciting construction projects, but demolition projects too! We were asked by the City of Stoke-on-Trent Council to document all demolition works of the East-West Precinct in Hanley. Plans are currently underway to use the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ fund to regenerate this site into a range of modern commercial and residential spaces as-well as a proposal for a new 3,600 seater arena and a hotel.
Smithfields
We have also documented the extensive demolition of buildings on the Smithfields site in Hanley, which will make way for a new mixed-use district neighbourhood. A range of retail and office spaces will be available as-well as residential apartments. This exciting scheme is also part of the substantial regeneration of the city which will create a range of employment opportunities as-well as a beautiful place to live, relax and work.
Hanley Central Business District
Another regeneration scheme that we have been documenting in the city centre is The Stoke Central Business District. We have been documenting the construction of this defined commercial area which has already seen the delivery of two buildings designed to an ‘excellent BREEAM rating’. Later phases of this project will see the district connected with the cultural and university quarters of the city, showing how Hanley as a whole is undergoing vital positive change.
Enson Works- Core
As discussed the pottery industry is central to the history of the city and its identity. We have also been appointed to capture all refurbishment and structural repairs of the disused Enson Works pottery site. This grade II listed building has undergone essential repairs to four of the historic chimney stacks, iconic of the city’s skyline. This project also saw the sympathetic rebuilding of one of the chimney stacks, which was the first kiln of this type to be built in the area for over 100 years. We are proud to have been part of a project that celebrates and safeguards this special site.
We work extensively within Stoke-on-Trent capturing a vast range of projects from a diverse range of genres. We are proud of the hard work of our dedicated team who maintain exceptionally high-standards and deliver our work to out clients’ needs.
If you would like to see more examples of our work and to learn more about the services we offer, please get in touch.