Three-week consultation will give people chance to have their say on multi-million-pound Tunstall plans

People are being asked to help shape multi-million-pound improvements to Tunstall town centre as part of a three-week public consultation.

A total of £4.5 million of Government funding is being spent to transform the public realm in the town.

An initial public engagement event was held in March to discuss the broad proposals.

Now, more detailed plans have been drawn up by the council on how that money could be spent – with the aim to attract extra footfall, boost business activity and tap into Tunstall’s heritage.

A consultation event is taking place from 9 to 31 July so that people can explore the early proposals, comment on them and even suggest alternative improvements.

A short consultation survey can be completed online, and, along with more details on the proposals, will be found at www.stoke.gov.uk/publicrealm from the start of the consultation.

In addition, public events are being held in the town. They are:

• 9 July - Tunstall Indoor Market, High St, ST6 5PH (10.30am – 5pm).
• 16 July – Tunstall Indoor Market, High St, ST6 5PH (9.30am – 5pm).
• 17 July - Mill Academy Primary Academy, Sunnyside Ave, ST6 6ED (3pm – 5pm).

The proposals include better connecting key areas of the town like the High Street, Tower Square, Butterfield Place and Alexandra Park shopping area and creating a high-quality public space for the town focussed on Tower Square and the Clock Tower.

They will also key into Design Out Crime initiatives earmarked for the town, which will be valuable in supporting the wider works proposed for the area.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We want to build on the momentum of the earlier engagement events and so are encouraging as many people as possible to come along to the consultation days and look at the proposals - or provide feedback online.

“These proposals will use Government money to really breathe new life into Tunstall and help provide a boost for residents, visitors, businesses and traders.

“A key element is to make the main areas of the town centre feel more joined up through improved paving and walkways as well as providing much-needed public space for community events.”   

The Tunstall proposals form part of wider £6.5 million public realm plans, which also incorporate Burslem, Longton and Stoke.

In Burslem, the proposed public realm work will focus on the Queen Street area, which is the location of several listed buildings, including Burslem School of Art and the Wedgwood Institute.

In Stoke, the money is to be centred on improving the public square on South Wolfe Street - adjacent to Stoke library - to create a vibrant community space for regular outdoor events, including street markets and live music events.

The public were consulted on plans for Burslem and Stoke earlier in the year. Consultation on proposals for Longton are to be held later in July, details of which will be provided in due course.