Businesses have welcomed a new draft masterplan drawn up for Stoke-on-Trent’s city centre.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has unveiled its vision to transform Hanley into a ‘vibrant, connected and welcoming place’ by 2050 with hundreds of homes, a new leisure centre and improved transport links.
The local authority says it aims to make the city centre a place where people want to live, work, shop and spend time.
The document outlines an ambition to have 750 new homes on brownfield city centre sites by 2030 with an additional 1,800 people living within the city centre and a boost in footfall.
A Bus Rapid Transit system is planned to improve journey time and reliability for bus users, providing an alternative to private car use. A business case identifying and confirming route options will be put together this year.
Plans for a new city centre leisure facility complete with swimming pool, gym facilities, a 3G football pitch and other sport space are also proposed and three potential locations have been identified.
There are also plans for new ‘movement corridors’ which include a link between Central Forest Park and Hanley Park, and a pedestrian and cycle friendly route between Festival Park and the city centre.
Dereece Gardner, who runs Desire Cocktail Bar on Piccadilly, has welcomed plans for new city centre homes in particular.
He told Daily Focus: “We need to attract more people to live in the city centre so these plans are great to hear and will be amazing to see.
“When I visit the Goods Yard, in Stoke, I can see that the residential element plays a key part in keeping that area busy and I’d love that to happen in Hanley.”
Amanda Nicely, Business Development Director at marketing agency Lawrence Davis, on Warner Street in the city centre, said: “Any improvement to what the current city has to offer should be welcomed with open arms. No matter if you are young or old we are all looking for a city that we can be proud of, feel safe in, and one that represents its people, history and future…bringing hope and prosperity to our young people.
“Stokies are renowned for being open, friendly and generous of nature, so let’s give them back a city that is vibrant, safe, forward thinking and proud.”
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, the city council’s cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said: “The city centre is a vital part of the economy and culture of this city.
“I’m aware people might hear the word ‘masterplan’ and think they’ve heard it all before. This is something different: a realistic and practical vision with clear short and long-term goals.
“We will start to see the benefits from this quite quickly in terms of addressing empty shops, bringing historic buildings back into use and better public transport connectivity. A lot of this work is already underway.
“This will sit side by side with longer-term retail, leisure and greenspace development.
“We want this to be a plan the whole of the city can get behind. That’s why we are calling on residents, workers organisations and visitors to get involved.
“Their feedback is vital to ensuring the masterplan reflects community aspirations and delivers sustainable growth and opportunity for all.”
Businesses and residents can have their say on the draft masterplan until Sunday, 22 March.
In person events are being held in each of the six towns between now and the end of the consultation.
To find out more about the draft masterplan, the consultation events and/or to give your opinion, follow this link.
