A review into the provision of music and entertainment venues in Stoke-on-Trent is set to take place in the new year.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is working with Mike Lloyd OBE to conduct a review of music and entertainment venues in the city. The review will look at the current provision across the city, and develop recommendations for what is needed in the future. It will also help inform plans for the Etruscan Square development in the city centre.
The review comes as under a new administration, council leaders have pledged to involve a wide range of people in decision making, and listen closely to what residents want. They have promised that major development sites in Stoke-on-Trent will better reflect the changing needs of the city and a changing economic climate.
Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “For decades Stoke-on-Trent has had a proud and exciting connection with popular entertainment across many genres and offers experiences at a range of music and entertainment venues. The aim of this review is to build on our city’s track record of providing great popular entertainment experiences by looking at future needs, supporting existing venues to thrive and develop and planning for new venues.
“We want to explore how we best provide sport, leisure and entertainment facilities at the Etruscan Square development which will better serve the needs of our communities. By doing this review it will help us determine what the best type of music and entertainment venue would be to complement the existing places in the city and ensure it can meet demand and be a viable venue.”
Mike Lloyd OBE is a music promoter, record shop owner and concert organiser who has lived and breathed the Staffordshire music scene for decades. He was awarded an OBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours list for his services to classical music and his role as chief executive of Stoke-on-Trent Classics, which organises orchestral concerts.
With the support of the council, Mike will gather information about what works well in other similar cities, speak to commercial operators and listen to the views of local people and industry experts.
Mike said: “I was delighted to be asked to undertake a comprehensive review of the city's venues by council leader Jane Ashworth. This hasn’t been done previously and it’s vitally important to establish this as a base for highlighting the gaps in performing art space provision in the city. This will enable the council to take a balanced view of future requirements. It will be a privilege to complete this project.”
The review will take place in January 2024 with more details to be shared in the coming months.
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