Work on the hotly anticipated Goods Yard development in Stoke-on-Trent is entering its final stages as a new public square and green spaces start to take shape – and it’s not too late for businesses to move to the site.
Visitors to Stoke’s £60 million urban neighbourhood, which is set to open on schedule in spring 2025, will be greeted by a ‘green oasis’ as they enter from Glebe Street.
This is set to include a lawn, which will be around the size of a professional tennis court, and a walkway leading through ‘lush plants and shrubs’ to the interior gardens, which will boast hangout spaces, seating, plants and more than 70 trees.
Social impact developer Capital&Centric say the new public square will ‘become a flexible space for pop-up markets, live music or simply hanging out with friends’. Visitors will be able to look through glass panels in the ground into the Vaults Warehouse below, which is set to become a thriving social hub.
Work will also take place to transform the canal jetty into a waterside seating area for drinks and dining, while a new direct walkway will connect the Goods Yard development to Stoke-on-Trent railway station.
Although expressions of interest opened earlier this year, independent businesses can still get in touch with Capital&Centric if they are interested in moving into some of the 30,000sq ft of commercial spaces at the site, with spaces ranging from 1,200 sq ft to 14,000 sq ft.
The developer is still keen to hear from anyone who would like to be add to the mix of bars, eateries, coffee shops, stores and creative businesses which will be based in four neighbourhood buildings – the Vaults Warehouse, the Signal Box on Glebe Street, the new build Pavilion workspaces, and the industrial-style new build spaces on the ground floor of the apartment building.
Tom Wilmot, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said: “It’s been an absolute labour of love creating this new community at Goods Yard and we can’t wait to see the gardens and public square shaping up. Just a stone’s throw from the station, the green spaces will be for everyone to enjoy.
“As we get closer to the neighbourhood opening, we’re focused on creating the right mix of community and independent businesses to bring the place to life. This is an amazing opportunity to be part of Stoke-on-Trent’s newest destination, so if you’re a business looking to start up, relocate or expand get in touch.”
Capital&Centric recently signed a lease for the residential building at the site. In addition to their existing agreement to market, let and manage the development’s commercial spaces on behalf of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the lease agreement will also see the developer take on the letting of the 174 rental apartments.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration said: “Goods Yard is a real success story, being delivered on time despite difficult economic circumstances since the government funding was awarded.
“Our effective partnership with Capital&Centric has enabled us to deliver an exciting, first-of-a-kind development for the city and create some fantastic opportunities for local people and businesses.
“There’s some exciting milestones approaching in the coming months so keep your eyes peeled for when we announce the first independent businesses which have signed up for space at Goods Yard, and our first residents.
“I am sure that the whole of Stoke-on-Trent is as excited as I am to see the finished site come to life and reap the wider economic benefits that this development will bring to our city.”
Anyone interested in taking on commercial space at the site can email [email protected] for more information.
