More than three-quarters of people surveyed say multi-million-pound public spaces investment will improve Tunstall

Results from a consultation on proposed multi-million-pound changes to Tunstall’s public spaces have revealed that 76 per cent of people agree they would improve the town.

The city council, along with landscape architects Planit, sought feedback on proposed changes to four areas of Tunstall’s town centre - High Street, Tower Square, Butterfield Place, and The Boulevard. People were also asked which of the areas should be prioritised for investment.

Each area is linked to a set of proposed changes, aimed at improving accessibility, attractiveness and sustainability, while celebrating Tunstall’s distinct heritage.

Most popular were the proposals for Tower Square, which include new tree planting, paving, seating, and existing parking spaces moved behind the clock tower; as well as Butterfield Place, which would see new outdoor spaces for market stalls and a green space with children’s play equipment. Each of these proposals received more than 70 per cent support.

In addition, most people’s priority for improvement was the High Street, where proposed plans include widening pavements around the town hall and reducing traffic speeds to 20mph – in a bid to make the area safer and more attractive.

Councillor Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who left feedback on these proposals or visited one of our events, your comments have been vital in helping to refine the scheme and ensure the proposals benefit everyone in our community.

“It’s great to see these much-needed works moving ahead, and we look forward to sharing the updated plans a little later in the year.

“These works are part of a package of measures aimed at improving Tunstall’s town centre, and we will continue to work with partners and stakeholders in the area to address people’s comments.”

Feedback will now be considered in full before plans are revised, ahead of appointing a contractor to deliver the works later this year. The council expects work to begin on the improvements in early 2026.

A total of £4.5 million of Government funding is being spent to transform the public realm in the town. The Tunstall proposals form part of wider multi-million-pound public realm plans, which also incorporate Burslem, Longton and Stoke.