A new indoor football and activity venue is set to open in a former homeless shelter in Stoke-on-Trent this spring.
KIX FC, located in the former Macari Centre in Regent Road, Hanley, is the brainchild of Peter Colclough, former chairman of Sandbach United FC, and his business partner Chris Hall. The duo, both Stoke City fans, are investing a ‘few hundred thousand’ pounds into the project, aiming to create a space for both kids and adults to enjoy football and other activities.
The venue will feature a 3G pitch, a VOLTA cage – which will be familiar to FC25 players – and a dedicated street football area where visitors can take on challenges and play games such as Kerby and Wall-y.
The space will have a ‘Cost Kick A Bo Agen A Wall’ theme, celebrating local culture thanks to a wall adorned with Stoke-on-Trent related imagery by Peter’s wife, artist Jude Colclough, while graphic artist Rob Fenton is set to paint a mural in the café.
The venue will also offer a café, bar, interactive darts, table tennis and party rooms. It will cater to a wide audience, from children’s soccer schools and pre-school sessions to walking football and disability-friendly activities – and there are also plans to offer corporate bookings where businesses can combine meetings with a kickabout.
The venue will offer kids’ party bookings using the 3G pitch or street football area, with packages available through the booking system Roller.
Chris and Peter hope KIX FC will become a key part of the leisure offering in Hanley, particularly if plans for the Etruscan Square development move forward.
Peter, who lives in Sandbach but was born in Stoke-on-Trent, said: “We found this unit, which used to be the Macari Centre, and saw the potential to bring something completely different to the area. There’s nothing like this around here, but the demand is there.
“We’re doing a lot of hard work at the moment, but it will be worth it. We’re excited to bring something fresh to this side of town, which is in need of some regeneration.”
KIX FC is expected to open in the spring, with updates on launch dates available via its social media channels and website.
