A former pottery works in Stoke-on-Trent is to be turned into a new demonstration learning facility - the Centre of Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE).

Shaylor Group has commenced work on the first phase of the project, which will create new refurbishment training and demonstration buildings at the former Enson Works in Longton. Stoke-on-Trent City Council is working with Building Research Establishment and Stoke College to deliver the PRP Architects-designed regeneration of the 6,000sq m (64,583sq ft) site.

A 1,500sq m (16,146sq ft) skills and learning venue will be built on the former West Range and will educate construction workers in 'exemplar' methods of refurbishment. Other facilities will include a BREEAM standard demonstration facility over two floors of the Enson Works building, while a 250sq m (2,691sq ft) visitor hub is also planned.

Mervin Smith, the council's cabinet member for city development (regeneration), said: "It means as a city we will be an exemplar location for modern and existing methods of refurbishment."