Stoke-on-Trent’s new £20 million Levelling Up pot has been welcomed by business leaders who believe the cash will inject new life into town centres and help turn around diminishing footfall.
They also say it will help the city fulfil its net zero aspirations through proposed green growth and training initiatives.
The Government money award was confirmed just days after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a summer general election for July 4.
City Council officials had been contacting Government civil servants on a daily basis following the announcement. A spokesperson said it was a “relief” that the money had been allocated before “the election drawbridge went up”.
The cash will be used to improve town centres, recreational facilities, and restore heritage assets such as a Burslem’s historic indoor market.
It will also be used to fund a Stoke on Trent College green skills centre and green growth strategy at Chatterley Whitfield, Britain’s biggest remaining colliery site, designated by Historic England as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Policy Manager Declan Riddell said: “Although we need to get more clarity on the detail behind the headline announcements, we certainly welcome support to improve our town centres and reverse the decline in footfall.
“In addition, tackling anti-social behaviour will make our town centres safer and encourage more people to visit.
“Regarding the proposal to restore Burslem Indoor Market, we hope that lessons will be taken from 25 miles north of the town and how the regeneration of Altrincham Market helped to change the fortunes of the town.
“We also hope that improvements to Burslem Market will breathe new life into the Mother Town, which has an impressive range of heritage buildings.
“Our heritage past has a key part to play in the future.”
Declan added: “If our city is to meet net zero aspirations, the idea of opening a green skills centre is a welcome development and will help to drive sustainability and create new opportunities for learners.”
How £20m Levelling Up money will be allocated
Stoke-on-Trent was one of 20 areas invited to form Levelling Up Partnerships by the government last year, with a share of £400m on offer.
All the Levelling Up Partnerships are subject to a business case, but the list of projects includes:
- Around £6.5m being used to regenerate historic buildings.
- £2.5m to be invested in improving leisure, recreation and wellbeing facilities, part of this in partnership with Port Vale Football Club.
- Funding will support the restoration of the Grade II listed Burslem Indoor Market and bringing it back into use. Feasibility studies will be carried out to see how best the venue could best serve the community.
- Funding is to be allocated for a “green growth strategy” at Chatterley Whitfield and a Green Skills centre at Stoke on Trent College’s Burslem campus.
- The council has also said that it would focus on improving the centres of Tunstall, Longton, with money for improved public realm.
- The council will also be bringing forward a City Centre Plan.
A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesman said: “With approval finally given, we will now crack on with delivery at pace. What is great about the programme we have designed is that it brings benefit to many parts of the city and people of different ages and interests.”
It is not the first time Stoke-on-Trent has secured Levelling Up funding. In 2021, the authority was awarded £56 million for three projects – the Goods Yard in Stoke, Etruscan Square in Hanley and heritage towns schemes in Stoke, Longton and Tunstall.
It is understood some of this money – relating to Etruscan Square and the heritage towns project – remains unspent, with the Government expecting most of the funding from this round to have been used by March 2025.
The council has previously said it remains in continual dialogue with the Department for Housing, Levelling Up and Communities regarding the schemes; however, it is unable to comment any further at this stage.
