Businesspeople and residents have been invited to attend a series of drop-in events being held to explain the latest plans to transform Stoke town centre.
The three sessions, taking place later this week, will update people on the Spode site development proposals as well as details of projects already approved for funding through the Stoke High Street Accelerator.
The plan involves the comprehensive regeneration of the site, which will celebrate its rich heritage, enhance the local arts scene and re-invent former pottery buildings for use by the city’s expanding ‘crea-tech’ sector – a term used for creative and digital industries.
It sets out the most viable buildings for redevelopment, looks at the expansion of existing creative, arts and leisure businesses and outlines plans for new access points, green spaces car parking and links to the town centre.
The development plan has been drawn up in consultation with local people, stakeholders and site users and through tapping into the expertise of Historic England and Homes England.
The update on the Stoke High Street Accelerator will focus on how a £237,000 Government funding boost, plus £500,000 previously reported by Daily Focus, is being used to revitalise the town centre, improving greenspace, address declining footfall and tackle vacancy rates and run-down properties.
A number of projects have been approved for funding through the scheme which encourages communities and businesses to join-up with local authorities on long-term regeneration plans – with others being considered.
Those successful include the installation of CCTV cameras to help reduce anti-social and criminal behaviour, a bi-monthly food festival, monthly pop-up events such as market stalls, workshops and live music, improvement of greenspaces, Stoke Town Christmas Tree and external decoration of buildings.
The drop-in sessions will take place at the following times, dates and locations:
- Thursday 7 November, between 2pm and 5pm at Stoke Library
- Friday 8 November between 10.30am and 12.30pm at Stoke Library
- Saturday 9 November between 10am and 2pm at Stoke Market
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said: “This is a very exciting and transformative time for Stoke. The development of the Spode site and the High Street Accelerator scheme are huge steps forward in the regeneration of the town. All the plans have been developed to ensure local needs are met and that existing businesses thrive.
“That is why we are very keen to share the latest plans and details of projects through the drop-in sessions and we encourage as many people as possible to attend if they can, see the plans for themselves and ask any questions they may have.”
