Last month, we made history. Thousands gathered in the centre of Burslem to honour one of our own, rock legend Lemmy Kilmister. The bronze statue was not just a tribute to the late Motörhead frontman; it was a powerful reminder of the town’s cultural heritage and a glimpse into the future potential of our mother town.
My good friends Allison Gardiner MP – a huge fan! – and Council Leader Jane Ashworth joined me as we watched thousands of fans from across the UK and abroad descend on the town to honour Motörhead’s iconic frontman, Lemmy. The atmosphere was electric; it was buzzing like a festival. The streets were packed, pubs and cafes overflowed, and live music echoed throughout the town. For one extraordinary day, Burslem became the beating heart of British rock heritage. And the energy that pulsed through our streets? That wasn’t just nostalgia. That was potential.
Moments like this matter. They remind us of who we are and what we could become again. Because for all the celebration, there’s also a serious point here: we need to build on this energy. This cannot be a one-off high. It must be a starting point for regeneration, investment, and long-term change.
I want our towns to thrive, and I’m delighted that we’ve secured £1.25 million to improve Queen Street in the town. As part of an extensive consultation process, residents told us they want natural stone paving, new trees, improved lighting and more accessible walkways and plans are being drawn up. This investment, signed off by the Labour government, will make Burslem a more inviting, vibrant, and economically resilient place for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Like you, I care deeply about Burslem’s future and I’m clear that regeneration must respect the town’s history, support its independent traders, and encourage new life into its empty buildings and streets.
This work forms part of a broader £6 million regeneration programme across the city, with £4.5 million secured to bring improvements to neighbouring Tunstall. That money isn’t a silver bullet; there is still lots more work to do but it is a crucial step in creating the kind of place where people want to shop, to enjoy themselves and to build a future with their families.
The Lemmy statue, as striking and meaningful as it is, must be a catalyst, not a one-off. It’s a reminder of our proud heritage, but also a challenge: to ensure the future of our towns live up to their pasts. Culture has a proven role in regeneration, and events like this prove that heritage-driven tourism, civic pride and economic growth can go hand in hand.
For too long, residents of Burslem, Tunstall and Kidsgrove have felt their proud towns had been forgotten. I get that as I felt the same. But what we saw that weekend in Burslem was that, when given the spotlight, the Mother Town – like our other centres – can shine. The community spirit, the creative talent, and the pride of place are all still here. Now, we must keep building.
Let’s make sure this moment sparks a movement, to restore, to invest, and to believe. Because if we can bring the world to Burslem for a statue, imagine what we could achieve with continued vision, funding, and local leadership.
Burslem and our great towns deserve to thrive and with the right backing they will.