The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery will open a new fully licensed café bar as part of its £5 million transformation, creating a more welcoming and flexible space at the museum’s main entrance.
The new PMAG Café Bar will be located in the foyer and designed to support events and evening activity, with the ability to operate independently when the rest of the museum is closed.
Its position next to the museum’s Forum Theatre will allow it to function as a lobby bar during performances and events, helping to create a more vibrant atmosphere and extend the visitor experience beyond daytime opening hours.
The café bar will showcase Staffordshire produce, including local favourites such as oatcakes and lobby. Bread and oatcakes will be sourced from local suppliers, alongside a selection of cakes made on site and sourced locally.
As part of the changes, the current café - which has reopened during the first phase of the museum’s transformation - will be repurposed as a dedicated gallery and events space.
The project will strengthen the museum’s role in the city centre, increasing footfall and supporting wider regeneration in the area.
“This is about making the museum a place people can visit at any time of day. The new café bar creates a more welcoming entrance and gives us the flexibility to host events and stay open into the evening. It’ll also showcase local produce, giving visitors a real taste of the city while they’re here.”
— Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for finance, anti-poverty and corporate services
The museum’s wider development is being delivered by Seddon, following funding secured from Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport through the Cultural Development Fund.
The new café bar will be part of the museum's offer when it fully opens flowing the transformation work.
Further details on opening dates, exhibitions and events will be shared via the museum’s website: https://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/
Details on the reopening of the Stoke-on-Trent City Archives Reading Room, located on the ground floor of the museum, will be announced in due course. For urgent statutory legal or other time-sensitive requirements, where no digital or remote service is suitable, limited onsite access is available.
For all enquiries, residents can contact stoke.archives@stoke.gov.uk or go to https://www.staffordshirehistory.org.uk/stoke-on-trent-city-archives/
Enjoyed this story?
As a Community Interest Company, we reinvest every penny into Staffordshire journalism. Your tips help us keep our reporting "Open Access" and free for everyone.
Support the Mission (Tip Jar)Every contribution stays in Staffordshire. Thank you for being part of the journey.
Explore the heart of our county Use the interactive map above to discover local landmarks, heritage sites, and community-vetted spots. Every interaction helps support The Staffordshire Signal’s mission to keep local news free and independent.
