Published: Friday, 2nd October 2026
Plans to transform Hanley are set to take a major step forward, with an ambitious and deliverable City Centre Masterplan going to the city council's Cabinet next week.
If approved, the masterplan will set out a clear short and long-term vision to transform the city centre into a vibrant place where people want to live, work, study, visit and invest.
It provides a practical roadmap for attracting investment, unlocking development opportunities and creating a city centre that meets the needs of current and future generations.
The plan focuses on delivering more high-quality housing, improving public spaces, strengthening transport links, supporting businesses and making better use of key sites across the city centre.
It builds on the significant progress already being made in Stoke-on-Trent and provides a framework to guide investment and regeneration over the coming years.
The short-term vision includes an aspiration for 750 new homes on brownfield city centre sites, an additional 1,800 people living in the city centre leading to increased footfall by 2030.
A key part of the vision is creating a city centre that people actively choose to spend time in. Alongside new homes and workplaces, the masterplan aims to strengthen the retail, leisure and hospitality offer, supporting shops, cafes, restaurants, cultural attractions and public spaces that encourage people to stay longer and visit more often.
The ambition is to create a city centre that is vibrant throughout the day and evening, making it a place to live, work, shop and enjoy.
The masterplan also recognises that successful city centres depend on excellent connections. It complements major investment already being made in transport across Stoke-on-Trent, including improvements to bus services, walking and cycling routes, public spaces and wider transport infrastructure.
These investments will make it easier for residents, workers and visitors to travel into, around and through the city centre, helping support businesses and boosting footfall.
Importantly, the masterplan is not simply a vision document. It identifies a realistic programme of projects and opportunities that can be delivered through strong partnerships between the city council, government, developers, businesses, public sector organisations and local communities.
A key part of making that vision a reality is the creation of a credible delivery model, and the council is looking seriously at the option of an Urban Development Corporation (UDC). The council believes a UDC could provide the powers, expertise and focus needed to accelerate regeneration, unlock complex sites and attract private and public investment into the city centre. This would require Government support, in the absence of a Mayoral authority.
The masterplan has also been strengthened by close engagement with Government, reflecting growing confidence in Stoke-on-Trent's potential. That Government support, particularly from Homes England, has helped shape the proposals and demonstrates recognition of the important role the city can play in driving economic growth across the region.
It builds on and complements other work taking place, or proposed, around the city centre, including the multi-million-pound Etruscan Square regeneration scheme and housing development at locations like the former Olympus Engineering works on College Road, and Pyenest Street in Shelton.
The council's Cabinet will vote on the plans to take forward the Masterplan and Delivery Plan on Tuesday 6 October.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, Cabinet Member for Growth, Regeneration and Transport at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "A successful city centre is about so much more than buildings. We want it to be a place where people choose to spend their time, whether that's shopping, meeting friends, enjoying culture and entertainment, relaxing in great public spaces or living in the heart of the city. Our vision is for a city centre that is busy, welcoming and vibrant throughout the day and evening.
"We want a city centre that is thriving, attractive and full of opportunity. That means more homes, more jobs, better public spaces, excellent transport connections and a stronger environment for businesses and local to succeed.
"This masterplan builds on work already underway and identifies practical opportunities that can be delivered with the right investment and partnerships.
"The next step is a detailed dialogue with government and its key agencies about the best means of delivering the plan, including a possible Urban Development Corporation, which would give us the tools and momentum needed to unlock major regeneration opportunities and attract the investment our city deserves.”
The masterplan document can be found here - mgconvert2pdf.aspx
- More articles in the news archive
- Stoke-on-Trent news RSS feed