Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary hailed a huge success with lasting legacy

Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary brought the city together, put it in the international spotlight and left a lasting legacy, a major report has found.

‘Stoke-on-Trent Centenary: a review’ evaluates the year-long programme marking 100 years of city status. It concludes that the celebrations strengthened civic pride, showcased the city’s culture and heritage and engaged young people.

The programme gave people across Stoke-on-Trent opportunities to celebrate their city together. More than 70 major events and hundreds of community activities took place during 2025, including festivals, exhibitions, performances, sporting events, heritage projects and neighbourhood celebrations.

More than 15,000 people helped break a Guinness World Record at the Big Centenary Tea Party, with even more joining community celebrations – including at the Houses of Parliament and in Stoke-on-Trent’s twin city of Erlangen. Around 1,000 participants and 10,000 spectators defied the rain for the People’s Parade, the centrepiece of the first Stoke-on-Trent Day celebrations.

The report identifies collaboration as central to the programme’s success. The council worked with more than 40 partner organisations to deliver the programme, with volunteers, schools, colleges, community and faith groups, cultural organisations and local businesses all playing a part.

The evaluation also highlights how the centenary helped challenge outdated perceptions of Stoke-on-Trent. Travel media coverage showcased the city as a cultural destination, generating more than £1 million in estimated publicity value. Time Out named Stoke-on-Trent one of the UK’s best places to visit.

Wider national and international coverage, alongside a centenary social media campaign that generated more than 11 million impressions, brought the city’s heritage and creativity to audiences around the world.

Partnerships formed during the Centenary are now helping to drive the city’s response to its heritage emergency and the development of a new Culture and Heritage Strategy. Future100, an ambitious vision for Stoke-on-Trent’s next century, builds on the momentum of the centenary year.

Despite its scale and ambition, the programme was delivered without placing any pressure on the council’s General Fund. Funding came through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund alongside sponsorship, grants, donations and significant support from partners, volunteers and organisations across the city.

Councillor Jane Ashworth, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “The centenary gave us an opportunity to celebrate everything that makes Stoke-on-Trent special, but it became something much bigger than that.

“People, businesses, schools, volunteers, community groups, cultural organisations and council teams all came together to create something extraordinary. The success of the year belongs to the whole city.

“We were determined to deliver celebrations that were fitting for such an important milestone while remaining responsible with public money. The fact we achieved so much through partnership working, external funding and community support should make everyone involved incredibly proud.

“The centenary showed Stoke-on-Trent at its very best.”

Read the full report here.