Stoke on Trent City Archives
Notice of temporary closure
Stoke-on-Trent City Archives – Temporary Closure
Stoke on Trent City Archives’ reading room will be temporarily closed due to building work at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. (For more information please see Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s announcement.)
The closure period will be from Saturday 20 December 2025 until March 2026
However, the following services to the public will continue during the temporary closure:
- email, postal and telephone enquiry services free of charge
- paid for copying and research services
- services for owners of archives – we will continue to collect archives from existing and new depositors
For all enquiries please contact us at stoke.archives@stoke.gov.uk and see our Enquiries, Research and Copying Services page.
In addition, access to some online resources, such as www.ancestry.com and www.findmypast.co.uk continue to be available at Stoke-on-Trent City Libraries, Staffordshire Libraries and at the Staffordshire History Centre.
For urgent statutory legal or other time-sensitive requirements, where no digital or remote service is suitable, we will offer limited onsite access. Each request will be carefully considered by staff against set criteria. If your request meets the criteria for public access the team will arrange an appointment for you.
If you are planning a visit, please follow the link: Stoke-on-Trent City Archives - Staffordshire History
Stoke-on-Trent City Archives
Potteries Museum and Art Gallery
Bethesda Street
Hanley
Stoke on Trent
ST1 3DW
Contact
Email: stoke.archives@stoke.gov.uk
Phone: 01782 238420
Our online catalogue: Gateway to the Past
Opening hours
Wednesday to Friday: 10.00 - 16.45
1st Saturday of each month: 10.00 - 16.45
Access and facilities
Parking arrangements
There is no public car park at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. View more about car parking on the city council website.
Disabled badge holders may park for 3 hours without charge in on-street car parking bays and all day in off-street car parks.
Public transport
Stoke on Trent rail station is about 1.5 miles from the city central library. All buses from the stop directly outside the rail station serve Hanley city centre.
Refreshments
Violet's Café in the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery is adjacent to the archives reading room and also has a picnic area if you wish to bring your own refreshments.
Location