History and heritage take centre stage in a Staffordshire market town

History is set to take centre stage in a Staffordshire market town later this year after a historic brewery returned to its original home, breathing new life into derelict buildings.

Selling beer first made by Augustinian monks, Joule’s Brewery returned to Stone in 2021 after a 50-year absence as part of a £3.5m regeneration project at Crown Wharf.

Now, two years after the first phase saw Joules open its flagship Brewery Tap at the canal side venue – almost half a century since it last had a presence in the town – the final elements of the scheme are set to be unveiled.

This autumn will see the first new-build theatre in Staffordshire for nearly a quarter of a century stage its first performance, while building works are due to be completed this summer to transform a former fire station into a heritage centre.

For Joule’s, which can trace its roots back to the 18th century when it originally set up in Stone, the project saw its return to the canal-side warehousing where in its heyday it became the first to export English beer to the US.

Along with the opening of the Crown Wharf taphouse in July 2021, which takes its inspiration from the old Joule’s warehouse next door, the re-development project also included creating a shell building for the theatre and for a heritage centre (www.joulesbrewery.co.uk).

The new Crown Wharf Theatre will be opening in October with an in-house production of ‘Shakespeare in Love’, the hit stage adaptation of the 1998 Oscar-winning romantic comedy. Able to seat up to 195 people in an octagonal auditorium, with a striking central vaulted ceiling, it is being managed by a charitable trust, and will be run by volunteers.

Tickets for the first production will go on sale during this summer, when the full opening programme will also be announced featuring plays, pantomime, comedy, cinema, music and more (www.crownwharftheatre.org.uk).

This summer is also expected to see building work completed at the former Stone Fire Station, at the entrance to Crown Wharf, which will become a new heritage centre and visitor information point, showcasing the town and its rich history.

Once this current work is completed, the building will be ready for its final fit-out and subsequent re-opening later in the year.

An old market town north of Stafford, Stone has earned a reputation for food and drink, something celebrated at popular monthly Farmers’ Markets and during its annual Autumn Food and Drink Festival.

It was Augustine monks who first brewed beer at Stone Priory, a tradition carried on by various brewers over the centuries before Francis Joule founded the town’s most famous brewery in 1785.

For general tourist information about the area visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com.