Published: Friday, 27th February 2026
People are being invited to have their say on a “realistic and practical” vision to transform the city centre over the next quarter of a century.
The City Centre Masterplan focuses on achievable proposals for retail, leisure, housing and regeneration and aims to create a more vibrant, connected and welcoming space at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent by 2050.
The draft plan has been drawn up by the council - working in partnership with consultancy experts Arcadis - and is based on substantial engagement with stakeholders and businesses.
There is a big focus on building new houses on city centre brownfield sites as a key component of the regeneration and also a spotlight on revitalising public spaces, improving transport links and celebrating the city’s rich heritage and culture.
The masterplan looks to make the city centre a place where people want to live, work, shop and spend time. It also complements the multi-million-pound work currently being carried out at neighbouring Etruscan Square to regenerate the former bus station site and build residential and leisure developments.
And it takes into account the fact the city centre is one of several urban centres within Stoke-on-Trent, each with a distinctive role and identity.
Proposals included in the draft masterplan build on people’s aspirations based on engagement to date. In particular it reflects people's desire to see:
- More ‘things to do’ in the city centre, including an improved retail and leisure offer and a stronger evening and night-time economy.
- Empty shop units and other historic buildings brought back into use.
- Improved connectivity with the railway station.
- Measures to help people feel safer and more confident when visiting the city centre.
- More green spaces within the city centre.
Residents, businesses and visitors are being encouraged to explore the draft City Centre Masterplan proposals and share their views.
This feedback will help build the final masterplan and accompanying delivery plan and ensure an exciting future for the city centre.
Details of the draft proposals and a feedback survey can be found online at www.stoke.gov.uk/citycentremasterplan
In addition, in-person events will be held across the city where people will be able to view displays on the masterplan, ask questions and take part in the consultation.
Events will be held Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall with times and dates to be released shortly.
The four-week consultation runs from Friday 27 February to Sunday 22 March.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "The city centre is a vital part of the economy and culture of this city.
"I'm aware people might hear the word 'masterplan' and think they've heard it all before. This is something different: a realistic and practical vision with clear short and long-term goals.
“We will start to see the benefits from this quite quickly in terms of addressing empty shops, bringing historic buildings back into use and better public transport connectivity. A lot of this work is already underway.
"This will sit side by side with longer-term retail, leisure and greenspace development.
“We want this to be a plan the whole of the city can get behind. That's why we are calling on residents, workers organisations and visitors to get involved.
"Their feedback is vital to ensuring the masterplan reflects community aspirations and delivers sustainable growth and opportunity for all."
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