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In May, the town of Burslem, part of Stoke-on-Trent, celebrated the unveiling of a statue honoring Ian Fraser Kilmister, widely known as Lemmy, the founder and frontman of the iconic band Motörhead. Thousands of fans gathered in Market Place to witness the reveal of the life-sized bronze sculpture. For many locals, this event represented a significant moment for a town that has endured many challenges over the years. Jon Plant, who established Moorland Pottery locally, remarked, “It’s got to be the biggest thing that’s happened to Burslem for as long as I can remember.”
Burslem, often called the “mother town” of Stoke-on-Trent, has deep roots in the ceramics industry, historically home to notable figures such as Josiah Wedgwood and William Moorcroft. However, the decline in ceramic manufacturing from the late 20th century onwards has taken its toll on the town’s economy and infrastructure. This downturn is visible in the deteriorating condition of several key historic landmarks, including the Queen’s Theatre, the Leopard pub which suffered fire damage, and the Wedgwood Institute. Recently, Historic England labeled the town center as “at risk,” citing neglect, decay, and unsuitable development as ongoing issues.
Despite the difficulties, optimism has begun to return, much of it attributed to the legacy of Lemmy, who passed away in 2015. His considerable influence on heavy metal music is reflected in Motörhead’s prolific output of 22 studio albums and numerous accolades like a Grammy Award. The unveiling ceremony attracted an estimated 3,000 people, according to statue artist Andy Edwards, who described the occasion as evoking “excitement, personal pleasure” and a “great sense of affirmation” from seeing people come together to share the moment. Vicky Hungerford, director of the Bloodstock Festival and someone with close ties to Lemmy’s inner circle, described the event’s atmosphere as “incredible” and noted it had effectively “put Burslem on the map” for those unfamiliar with the town. She expressed that Lemmy “would have been very humbled” by the attention but would have “absolutely loved it.”
Looking toward the future, plans are underway to redevelop the vacant Queen’s Theatre into a multifunctional venue named Kilmister Halls, which will include a 900-seat auditorium, café, museum, and music studio. This project, supported in part by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the IFK Legacy Community Interest Company, represents a hopeful step forward for Burslem’s cultural revitalization. Jon Plant sees this initiative, alongside the newfound focus on Lemmy’s heritage—sometimes affectionately called “Burslemmy”—as a key to the town’s revival. Reflecting on these developments, he commented, “It gives me real hope for the future. It’s a perfect recipe for success.” Both Plant and Edwards believe that the combination of cultural investment and celebration of local history could restore Burslem’s standing, with Edwards describing it as having the potential to be the “cultural capital” of Stoke-on-Trent once more
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