New tenants in £3m listed building regeneration strengthen historic Spode site createch cluster

Business tenants have moved in to the latest multi-million pound regeneration chapter at Stoke-on-Trent’s landmark Spode site.

Historic building 4L, in the Bottle Kiln Courtyard, becomes home to more businesses included in the city’s fast growing and influential Createch Cluster.

The £3m project was privately funded by developer Dog & Bone, which delivered the energy-efficient hub in an ambitious 18 weeks.

It adds 20 graduate-level jobs and welcomes new tenants including VCCP Stoke, Voxel, and VisualDon.

The project, which was fully let ahead of completion, further strengthens the city’s reputation as a destination for tech and design innovation.

The new tenants join digital content agency i-creation, video production business Popcorn and b2b ad agency Lesniak Swann on the site of the former pottery works.

The Grade II listed building has been sympathetically restored to an EPC A rating with biomass heating, gigabit internet, and original 19th-century features retained throughout

“This project shows how heritage-led regeneration can create real economic impact,” said Jeff Nash, Director at Dog & Bone Group. “We’ve created a space that’s sustainable, characterful, and completely tailored to the needs of modern Createch businesses. We’re already eyeing future phases of Spode Works’ regeneration.”

New tenants include:

• VCCP Stoke, the local base of the global creative agency, which has expanded into a purpose-built facility with training pods and collaboration spaces.
• Voxel, a digital experience firm relocating from Manchester, attracted by Stoke’s lower costs and growing tech ecosystem.
• VisualDon, a renowned CGI and YouTube content producer.

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell hailed the development as “a fantastic example of what’s possible when heritage meets modern industry.”

Michael Lee, CSO at VCCP and Co-Founder of The Challenger Academy, praised D&B’s commitment. He said: “The completion of Building 4L marks an exciting new chapter for creativity and opportunity in Stoke.

“By embedding VCCP Stoke and our charity The Challenger Academy within this cutting edge Createch environment, we’re empowering the next generation of diverse talent, ensuring that young people in our community have direct access to the skills, mentorship and career pathways that will define the creative industries of the future.”