People encouraged to attend trio of drop-in events setting out latest plans for Stoke town centre

A series of community drop-in events have been organised to give residents and local businesspeople the chance to find out more about the latest plans to transform Stoke town centre.

The three sessions, taking place on November 7, 8 and 9, will update people on the Spode Site development proposals as well as details of projects already approved for funding through the Stoke High Street Accelerator.

The update on Spode will centre on the ongoing development plan to regenerate the site, which was an internationally renowned centre of ceramics production and is regarded as an historic gem.

The plan involves the comprehensive regeneration of the site, which will celebrate its rich heritage, enhance the local arts scene and re-invent former pottery buildings for use by the city’s expanding ‘crea-tech’ sector – a term used for creative and digital industries.

It sets out the most viable buildings for redevelopment, looks at the expansion of existing creative, arts and leisure businesses and outlines plans for new access points, green spaces car parking and links to the town centre.

The development plan has been drawn up in consultation with local people, stakeholders and site users and through tapping into the expertise of Historic England and Homes England. 

The update on the Stoke High Street Accelerator will focus on how a £237,000 Government funding boost, plus £500,000 to help improve Greenspace in the town, is being used to revitalise the town centre, improving greenspace, address declining footfall and tackle vacancy rates and run-down properties.

A number of  projects have been approved for funding through the scheme which encourages communities and businesses to join-up with local authorities on long-term regeneration plans – with others being considered.

Those successful include the installation of CCTV cameras to help reduce anti-social and criminal behaviour, a bi-monthly food festival, monthly pop-up events such as market stalls, workshops and live music, improvement of greenspaces, Stoke Town Christmas Tree and external decoration of buildings.

The drop-in sessions will take place at the following times, dates and locations:

• Thursday 7 November, between 2-5pm at Stoke Library
• Friday 8 November between 10-12.30pm at Stoke Library
• Saturday 9 November between 10-2pm at Stoke Market

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said: “This is a very exciting and transformative time for Stoke. The development of the Spode site and the High Street Accelerator scheme are huge steps forward in the regeneration of the town. All the plans have been developed to ensure local needs are met and that existing businesses thrive.

“That is why we are very keen to share the latest plans and details of projects through the drop-in sessions and we encourage as many people as possible to attend if they can, see the plans for themselves and ask any questions they may have.”