Visitors to Stoke town centre will see its outdoor spaces become brighter and greener thanks to a £500,000 grant.
The money has been awarded to the Stoke High Street Accelerator project from the UK Government’s Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities.
Staff and volunteers from a range of organisations including town centre businesses, and creative organisations B Arts and Festival Stoke, and Friends of Spode Rose Garden helped apply for the grant.
A range of projects have been suggested including:
- Grants for businesses and community venues to make their outside areas greener.
- More floral displays throughout the town.
- A wild-play area for children.
- Introducing lots of bright and tactile plants into the high street.
- Creating an area alongside Spode Rose Garden where people can learn about horticulture.
- Improving the walkway on the canal into the town.
- Organised nature walks around the area.
Michael Escolme, Chair of the Stoke High Street Accelerator (HSA) Board and Spode Museum manager, said: “As we know green space in Stoke Town is limited.
“The approval of this funding is a positive step forward to helping to improve this. I look forward to working with the local communities and businesses on its delivery in the town.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for housing, regeneration and planning, Councillor Chris Robinson said: “We’re delighted and will use this funding to boost visits to our high street.
“We have identified a range of town centre entry points that would benefit from improvement to encourage the flow of people.”
A workshop is planned to be held in June where the Stoke HSA board, businesses and stakeholders will meet to explore the challenges that town centres are facing and what would help to make the town centre better.
Businesses or community groups who want to be involved should contact [email protected]
