A rallying call is being sent out to businesses to join a week-long clean-up campaign aimed at tidying up Stoke-on-Trent.
Daily Focus is joining forces with The City Council and Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce in calling on individuals and organisations to volunteer their time to help plant, paint, decorate, mow, clean and litter pick to help improve community spaces in their vicinity.
It forms part of the Love Your City campaign launched by Stoke-on-Trent City Council earlier this year, which is aiming to support people in taking pride in their communities.
Working with residents, the Council cleared more than 1,110 reported cases of illegal dumping of rubbish in 50 days – the equivalent of more than 680 skips full of rubbish.
And while the council looks to continue to make alleyways and public spaces more welcoming – and targets grot spots wherever they are – it is looking for a helping hand from local businesses too.
To spark interest, Council Leader Jane Ashworth has sent letters to dozens of organisations across the city encouraging them to join in by pledging themselves to a range of activities during Love Your City fortnight (11 to 25 September).
The focal point will be Monday 18 to Friday 22 September when the spotlight will be on the business community to support the campaign.
Jane said: “We’re serious about tackling the illegal dumping of rubbish.
“While we continue to work at pace to tackle this issue, we cannot keep every street clear all of the time. But what we can do is to make alleyways and public spaces as welcoming as possible to strengthen a sense of pride and community in our neighbourhoods. This is where I call on you to play your part.
“We want you to join us during the week 18-22 September by volunteering your time and that of your organisation to help improve community spaces that are dear to you in Stoke-on-Trent, along with other areas that we need your help in supporting us on.”
Staffordshire Chambers Chief Executive Sara Williams OBE said: “The Chamber wholeheartedly supports this campaign and encourages all businesses and organisations to join us in taking part in the Love Your City big clean-up week in September.
“If we can all do our bit to improve the community spaces around us we are helping to create a better environment for everyone who lives, work and visits the city – and it helps to reinforce a sense of pride in the area.
“The City Centre Business Improvement District has worked with businesses to help clean up the city through Operation Sparkle for the last couple of years. This campaign will feed into that continued improvement and a significant difference will be seen by us all working together. This initiative from the City Council is very timely and welcome.
“Let’s hope the whole community gets involved and it inspires similar schemes right around the county.”
For details about activities taking place during the week, how to get involved and advice on what equipment to use, email [email protected]
Don’t forget to carry out a risk assessment if you’re looking to work on public land – and not your own land.
- Daily Focus is keen to share your stories and photos relating to the clean-up campaign, so please send them to us by emailing [email protected]
- The City Council will also promote the activities as widely as possible too, so remember to tag any socials with #lovesot
