The Festival in the Factory will be held at:
Emma Bridgewater Factory, Lichfield Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. ST1 3EJ
From the M6, exit at junction 15 or 16. Come off the A500 at Stoke and onto the A52 Leek Road. Lichfield Street is on the A50 near The City Centre.
It’s the big Victorian factory, you can’t miss it! If you’re using a SatNav, put in Pelham Street and you will get the best directions to the factory.
Venues & Seating
Find out about all of our event spaces here Seating is un-allocated and our chairs are wooden. Please feel free to bring a small cushion if you would like to. We use air conditioning units to keep the venues comfortable. It can also be helpful to bring a bottle of water and/or paper fan etc if it is very warm or humid.
Car Parking
There is free parking at the factory although it is limited. Disabled parking is also available. There is also additional paid parking available at the city council’s Birch Terrace and Hinde Street car parks (5 minute walk). We will have car park attendants on the day who will help with parking.
*ROADWORKS NOTICE* resurfacing work will be taking place on Joiners’ Square roundabout overnight from 7pm to 7am throughout the Festival. There will be no access to Lichfield Street left off Leek Road or coming from Victoria Road during these hours. Instead please follow diversions across the roundabout through the temporary traffic lights and take the left turn up into Hanley via Botteslow Street to the Potteries Way and turn left down Lichfield Street to the Emma Bridgewater Factory. Please see this link to roadworks.org for details
Train Station
Stoke-on-Trent train station is only a few minutes away by taxi.
Local Taxis
Sids Taxis – 01782 713999
Intercity – 01782 855855
Roseville Taxis – 01782 613456
Box Office
Collect tickets, find out who you just must see and see if any on-the-day returns are available for sold out events from our friends The New Vic Theatre in the courtyard marquee. Cash sales only.
Food & Drink
There will be plenty of refreshments available to purchase in the Emma Bridgewater Cafe served all day besides the world’s biggest Polka Dot Aga, plus free WiFi too. Choose from hot and cold drinks, homemade cakes and a delicious choice of salads, sandwiches and daily specials. Visit the complimentary tea station too in the courtyard for a quick cuppa! There will also be food vendor The Little Diner will be serving delicious organic burgers on Friday and Saturday, Daltons Ice Cream will be here with traditional Peak District ice cream all day on Saturday and Bottlecraft craft beers will be running the festival bar every evening too.
Festival Bookshop & booksales
All of our authors’ books will be available to purchase in the Factory Shop operated by Waterstones of Hanley in the Seconds Shop. Card payments and cash accepted. Book signings take place in the Seconds Shop
Our poets will be selling copies of their published poems at the end of their events. Cash payments only
Access
Our main venue The Meakin Room seats 200 guests and is wheelchair accessible. Click here for detailed access information or please contact us via literaryfestival@emmabridgewater.co.uk if we can offer any assistance to help you to enjoy your visit. More info on all our venues here.
Toilets
A Fully Accessible toilet is available in the decorating studio in addition to standard toilets, plus standard toilets in the cafe and gift shop, and additional temporary event toilet facilities outside the casting shop. Please ask for assistance at the courtyard marquee from any of the stewards or follow the signs. Baby change facilities are available in the decorating studio toilets.
Volunteer Stewards
Look out for our very team of friendly volunteers in their festival t-shirts who will be happy to help you in any way they can or please ask Emma Bridgewater staff for assistance
First Aid
St John’s Ambulance are on site for the festival in addition to first aid trained Emma Bridgewater staff.
Accommodation
There are many places to stay in around Stoke-on-Trent. Please visit the Visit Stoke website www.visitstoke.co.uk for listings. Alternatively, you can contact Stoke-on-Trent’s Tourist Information Services on 01782 236000 or email stoke.tic@stoke.gov.uk
Terms and Conditions
~ All information is correct at the time of publication.
~ Events are subject to change without notice
~ The management reserves the right to refuse admission.
~ Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable
Registered Charity Number 1156937 STOKE ON TRENT LITERARY FESTIVAL