A historic ceramics site once earmarked for the development of a new hotel is set to become home to a self-storage warehouse.
Plans have been approved by Stoke-on-Trent City Council for Tonsley GS (Stoke) to build the 14,960 sq ft facility on part of the former Diamond Gimson works, off King Street, in Fenton.
The pottery supplies company ceased operating in 1999, with the factory being demolished in the early 2000s and the land is currently vacant and derelict.
Other areas of the former Works have been partly developed for commercial use including trade warehouse Bestway Wholesale Cash & Carry, a KFC restaurant and more recently a Costa Coffee café and petrol filling station.
A document submitted with the planning application reads: “The development will generate the equivalent of four full time positions in order to facilitate the self-storage operations proposed.
“In addition, the self-storage offer will assist many start-up businesses within the general area as start-up business are anticipated to account for approximately 60% of the overall demand, in keeping with other successful Tonsley GS Ltd units elsewhere within the UK.”
The site has a complex planning history and a variety of planning permissions have been granted over the years, including for employment, hotel, restaurant uses.
According to Tonsley GS (Stoke), there is strong demand for self-storage spaces in the UK and the sector has experienced rapid growth in recent years.
