Stoke-on-Trent City Council Empowering Communities

Published: Thursday, 23rd March 2023

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is empowering communities across the city through a number of initiatives and grant applications.

During 2022, seven community asset transfers have taken place, allowing a number of community centres to be taken over by community groups and non-profit organisations.

The latest facility to be handed to a community group is the City of Stoke Athletics Club taking over the running of Northwood Stadium.

Community asset transfers completed during the past 12 months include -

The Shed in Boothen has been taken over by MESC Table Tennis Club, one of the oldest table tennis clubs in the city.

Sylvester Community Centre, was taken over by the voluntary group Sylvester Community Trust, with £100,000 invested so that families can grow their own fruit and vegetable on the ex-mining land off Oxford Road, in Fegg Hayes.

Meir Community Centre has been transformed into a community café, following a community asset transfer and £65,000 of funding from two rounds of the City Council’s Community Investment Fund.

Cllr Lorraine Beardmore, cabinet member for culture, leisure and public health said:

“Through our community asset transfers, the City Council has worked closely with a number of community and voluntary groups to give centres across the city a new lease of life.

“Fifty three organisations have also benefited from around £1.2 million from our Community Investment Fund, including the £65,000 that the new Love Coffee café in Meir received through two rounds of funding.

Any groups wishing to get in touch about future opportunities can contact the community development team at communities@stoke.gov.uk.