The telephone service arrived in The Potteries in April 1885 when the National Telephone Company opened the Hanley exchange in Cheapside, with smaller exchanges in Burslem and Stoke. Soon afterwards, Longton and Newcastle exchanges were opened. Around 1900, the company build its headquarters in a magnificent Renaissance-style building which survives in Trinity Street. ‘Telephone Buildings’ later became home to the central unit of the towns’ automatic system – seven exchanges in a linked numbering scheme which opened in 1927.

Photo courtesy of the potteries.org.

Ash Bank telephone exchange is situated in Chatsworth Drive Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 0PB.

It came into service in 1967, replacing a UAX13.

The telephone code for this exchange is 01782-30.

Its former dialling code was 078 130.

ID: WMASH. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

The former Ash Bank telephone exchange is in the grounds of 238 Ash Bank Road, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent ST2 9EB.

It came into service in in the early 1940s as a UAX13. It closed in 1967 and is now an outbuilding of a private house.

Its dialling code was 078 130.

ID: WMASH. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

Audley telephone exchange is in Nantwich Road, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 8DH.

It came into service in 1971 to replace a UAX when lines became Stoke-on-Trent 720*** numbers.

It is decorated with a remarkable triptych which you can see HERE.

The telephone code for this exchange is 01782-72.

Its former dialling code was 078 136.

ID: WMADY. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Hutchins.

The former Audley telephone exchange is beside 9 Wilbrahams Walk, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 8HL.

It came into service as a UAX13 in 1939 and closed in 1971. Planning permission was granted to convert it into a two-storey house, based on the plans shown. The work was undertaken in 2019, although to a slightly different design.

Its dialling code was 078 136.

ID: WMADY. Picture: Courtesy of Movehut.

Barlaston exchange is in Station Road, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent ST12 9DH.

It came into service in April 1961 when it was officially opened by Stone Rural Council chairman Mrs F Wain. It replaced a manual exchange.

The telephone code for this exchange is 01782-37.

Its former dialling code was 078 139.

ID: WMBAR. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

Biddulph telephone exchange is in Wharf Road, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent ST8 6AG.

It came into service at 1.15pm on Wednesday 15 December 1971 to replace a former UAX14 exchange which was located in Gunn Street, Biddulph ST8 6DH, now used as a Royal Mail delivery office.

The telephone codes for this exchange include 01782-51, 01782-522 and 01782-523.

Its former dialling code was 078 17.

ID: WMBID. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Kington.

Blythe Bridge exchange is at 210 Grindley Lane, Blythe Bridge, Stoke-on-Trent ST11 9JS.

It came into service on 22 October 1970 as a Crossbar exchange, replacing a UAX14.

The telephone codes for this exchange include 01782-38 and 01782-39.

Its former dialling code was 078 18.

ID: WMBLY. Photo courtesy of David Edge.

The former Blythe Bridge exchange is at 195 Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge, Stoke-on-Trent ST11 9HQ.

It came into service in 1940 as a UAX14. It was replaced in 1970 by the current exchange. It was sold off and is now a day nursery.

Its dialling code was 078 18.

ID: WMBLY. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

The former Blythe Bridge manual exchange was in Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge, Stoke-on-Trent (in the bay-windowed house seen on the far left).

The first exchange here came into service before World War I. The building has since been demolished.

Picture: Courtesy of the Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook Local Historical Society.

Burslem telephone exchange is in Wedgwood Place, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 4EF and serves Burslem and Tunstall.

The telephone codes for this exchange include 01782-524, 01782-575, 01782-575, 01782-81, 01782-82 and 01782-83.

Its former dialling code was 0782.

ID: WMBUR.

The original Burslem telephone exchange is in Wedgwood Place, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 4EF and served Burslem and Tunstall.

It came into service as a non-director satellite of Hanley exchange at 11.55pm on 26 November 1927. It was part of the Hanley (later Stoke-on-Trent) linked numbering scheme and the name Burslem was not used in directories.

There is also a building midway between the original and current buildings which links the two.

Its former dialling code was 0782.

ID: WMBUR.

The former Chesterton telephone exchange was located in Audley Road, Chesterton.

It came into service as a non-director satellite of Hanley exchange at 11.55pm on 26 November 1927. It was part of the Hanley (later Stoke-on-Trent) linked numbering scheme and the name Chesterton was not used in directories. It closed in July 1958 when it was replaced by Dimsdale exchange.

ID: Unknown. Picture (1926): Courtesy of BT Archives.

Dimsdale telephone exchange is situated in Lansdell Avenue, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 8ET.

It came into service in 1958 to replace Chesterton exchange, the first official call being made on 24 July by the mayor of Newcastle, WE Welsby. The name Dimsdale was never used in directories.

The telephone codes for this exchange include 01782-561, 01782-562, 01782-563, 01782-564, 01782-565, 01782-566, 01782-568 and 01782-569.

Its former dialling code was 0782.

ID: WMDIM.

Endon telephone exchange is in Leek Road, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 9EJ

It came into service as a UAX7 to replace a manual exchange on 20 April 1938.

Lines became Stoke-on-Trent 50**** numbers in 1971.

The telephone code is 01782-50.

Its former dialling code was 078 14.

ID: WMEND. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

The former Hanley telephone exchange is situated in Trinity Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 5NA.

Built by the National Telephone Company, it was first a manual exchange. It was fitted with a non-director automatic exchange which came into service at 11.55pm on 26 November 1927. The name was changed to Stoke-on-Trent in 1936. However, the building also housed a CBS2 manual relief exchange – called, once again, Hanley – from 1947 until both exchanges were replaced by a new Stoke-on-Trent auto exchange on 23 October 1952.

Photo courtesy of Brian Deegan.

The former Keele Park telephone exchange stands in Keele Drive, Keele University, Newcastle ST5 5AU.

It came into service as a UAX13 on 2 July 1953, taking 60 lines from Silverdale exchange.
It closed in 1977. Its dialling code was 078 271.

Photo courtesy of Google Maps.

The former Silverdale exchange once stood in Albert Street, Silverdale, Newcastle ST5 1JR. Its dialling code was 078 279.

A UAX13, it closed around 1976 and has since been demolished.   

Kidsgrove telephone exchange is located in Liverpool Road, Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 4EH.

It came into service in November 1955 to replace a magneto-operated exchange in a house in The Avenue. Lines became Stoke-on-Trent 7***** numbers and the code changed to 0782 on conversion to digital working on 10 April 1987.

The telephone codes for this exchange include 01782-77, 01782-78 and 01782-794.

Its former dialling code was 078 16.

ID: WMKID. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

Longton telephone exchange is in Commerce Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 1PR.

It came into service at 1.30pm on Thursday 25 April 1957 to replace an earlier non-director exchange.

Its telephone codes include 01782-31, 01782-32, 01782-33, 01782-34 and 01782-59.

Its former dialling code was 0782.

ID: WMLON. Photo courtesy of Toby Lucas.

The former Longton automatic exchange was part of the then Longton post office in Transport Lane, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 1BF

It came into service as a non-director satellite of Hanley exchange at 11.55pm on 26 November 1927 as part of a linked numbering scheme.

It ceased operation in April 1957. The building is now (2024) part of a pub called The Last Post.

ID: WMLON. Picture: Courtesy of WhatPub.

Madeley telephone exchange is in Furnace Lane, Madeley, Crewe CW3 9EU

It came into service at 1.30pm on Tuesday 11 January 1972 when lines became Stoke-on-Trent 750*** numbers.

It was transferred to digital working on 26 April 1994 at a reported cost £355,000.

The telephone codes for this exchange is 01782-75.

Its former dialling code was 078 134.

ID: WMMAD. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

The former Madeley telephone exchange stood behind what is now 1 Greyhound Court, Madeley, Crewe CW3 9EA.

It came into service as a UAX13 to replace a manual exchange which closed on 11 January 1971.

It has since been demolished and the site redeveloped.

Its dialling code was 078 134.

ID: WMMAD. Map: The National Library of Scotland.

Milton Lee telephone exchange is in Norbury Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent ST2 7BJ.

It came into operation on 20 March 1958 to serve Abbey Hulton, Baddeley Green, Light Oaks, Milton, Norton, Norton Green and parts of Bucknall and Ford Green.

The telephone codes for this exchange include 01782-53, 01782-54 and 01782-570.

Its former dialling code was 0782.

ID: WMMTL. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

Newcastle telephone exchange is in Pool Dam, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 2RP.

Work began on the building in June 1960 and it came into service on 21 November 1963, Alderman Thomas Bethell, mayor of Newcastle, making the inaugural call.

The telephone codes for this exchange include 01782-61, 01782-62, 01782-63, 01782-66, 01782-710, 01782-711, 01782-712, 01782-713, 01782-714, 01782-715, 01782-718, 01782-719, 01782-741 and 01782-742.

Its former dialling code was 0782.

ID: WMNEW. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

Newcastle telephone exchange stood in the yard of the then post office, now the Arnold Machin pub, 37 Ironmarket, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 1PB.

It came into service as a non-director satellite of Hanley exchange at 11.55pm on 26 November 1927 as part of a linked numbering scheme, replacing a manual exchange in George Street. It was replaced by the current exchange on 21 November 1963.

The site has since been redeveloped as part of Castle Walk.

Map: The National Library of Scotland

Standon Rock telephone exchange is in Church Lane, Standon, Stafford ST21 6RN

Originally called Standon, it came into service as a UAX in 1939. The name was changed in the early 1960s. It was converted from Strowger to digital working around 1991.

The telephone code for this exchange is 01782-791.

Its former dialling code was 078 270.

ID: WMSRK. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

The former Stoke telephone exchange is in Wharf Place, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 1LE.

Built in what was then Wharf Street, it came into service as a non-director satellite of Hanley exchange at 11.55pm on 26 November 1927. It was part of the Hanley (later Stoke-on-Trent) linked numbering scheme and the name Stoke was not used in directories. It has also been known as City and Stoke City. From 1947 it housed a relief manual exchange called Hartshill which closed on 26 July 1951. It closed in the late 1970s. Photo courtesy of Toby Lucas.

Stoke City telephone exchange is in Lytton Street, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2AG and serves Fenton and Stoke.

Designed by West Bromwich architects Phillips Cutler Phillips Troy, it came into service in the late 1970s to replace the former Stoke exchange.

Its telephone codes include 01782-01782-29, 01782-4, 01782-572, 01782-573, 01782-574, 01782-716, 01782-743, 01782-744, 01782-745, 01782-746, 01782-747, 01782-748 and 01782-749.

Its former dialling code was 0782.

ID: WMCIT. Photo courtesy of Toby Lucas.

Stoke-on-Trent telephone exchange is at Telecom House, Trinity Street, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 5ND and serves Hanley.

The pale building in the centre of the picture, it came into service in the mid-1960s to replace the former Stoke-on-Trent exchange in Clough Street.

Its telephone codes include 01782-01782-20, 01782-21, 01782-22, 01782-26, 01782-27 and 01782-28.

Its former dialling code was 0782.

ID: WMSTK. Photo courtesy of Roger D Kidd.

The former Stoke-on-Trent telephone exchange is in Clough Street, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 5ND.

It came into service on 23 October 1952, the inaugural call being made by Stoke Lord Mayor GL Barber. It replaced the former Stoke-on-Trent (previously Hanley) auto exchange and the Hanley manual relief exchange. It closed in the mid-1960s when it was replaced by the current exchange. The buildings are currently (2024) disused.

ID: WMSTK. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

Swynnerton telephone exchange is situated on the road to Beech in Swynnerton, Stone ST15 0QD.

The first auto exchange here came into service, possibly on a neighbouring site, as an RAX5 in the early 1930s. It was converted from Strowger to digital working around 1994.

The telephone code for this exchange is 01782-796.

Its former dialling code was 078 135.

ID: WMSWY.

Trentham telephone exchange is in Stone Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 8NG.

It was opened in July 1959 by the Lord Mayor of Stoke, H Clowes, replacing the previous Trentham exchange.

The telephone codes for this exchange include 01782-64, 01782-657, 01782-658 and 01782-659.

Its former dialling code was 0782.

ID: WMTRE.

The former Trentham telephone exchange stood in Longton Road, Stoke-on-Trent (now ST4 8BT).

It came into service as a non-director satellite of Hanley exchange at 11.55pm on 26 November 1927 as part of the Hanley (later Stoke-on-Trent) linked numbering scheme.

It closed in July 1959 and has been demolished. The site is now 133 Longton Road.

Picture (14 April 1927): Courtesy of BT Archives.

Waterhayes Farm telephone exchange is situated in Cedar Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 7DF.

The telephone codes for this exchange is 01782-560.

Its former dialling code was 0782.

ID: WMWHS.

The former Waterhayes Farm telephone exchange is situated in Talke Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 7AL.

Its former dialling code was 0782.

ID: WMWHS. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

Wetley Rocks telephone exchange is located in Mill Lane, Wetley Rocks, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 0BN.

It came into service at 1.15pm on 18 December 1973, replacing a UAX, when numbers became Wetley Rocks (0782) 550***.

The telephone codes for this exchange is 01782-55.

Its former dialling code was 078 133.

ID: WMWRK. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.

The former Wetley Rocks telephone exchange is at 522 Cheadle Road, Wetley Rocks, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 0BA.

It came into service as a UAX in 1937 on land bought from Rock View Farm. It was bought back by farm owner Harry Beardmore in 1985 and extended into a retirement home for himself and wife Hilda. It is now called Fairhaven.

Its former dialling code was 078 133.

ID: WMWRK.

Whitmore telephone exchange is in Fair-Green Road, Baldwin’s Gate, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 5LS.

It came into service around 1974. It was converted to digital operation on 16 August 1994.

The telephone code for this exchange is 01782-68.

Its former dialling code was 078 138.

ID: WMWTM.

The former Whitmore telephone exchange is off Coneygreave Lane, Whitmore, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 5HX.

It came into service as a UAX13 in the late 1930s. It was replaced by the current exchange around 1974 when lines became Whitmore (0782) 680*** numbers.

It stands in the grounds of a house on the corner of Coneygreave Lane and Appleton Drive.

Its dialling code was 078 138.

ID: WMWTM. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.