Green spaces in Stoke town centre are set to be significantly spruced up thanks to £500,000 of Government funding.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been awarded the money following a successful bid for Green Spaces funding – through the High Street Accelerator Programme.
The programme, originally announced in March 2023, encourages communities and businesses to join up with local authorities on long-term plans to tackle vacancy rates, run down properties and declining footfall.
The Green Spaces Funding is in addition to £237,000 the council was awarded through the High Street Accelerator scheme last year.
Michael Escolme, Chair of the Stoke High Street Accelerator Board, said: “I’m delighted that Stoke town has been successful in bidding for this significant sum of money to assist in the regeneration and revitalisation of Stoke’s High Street.
“It will help to bring wider attention to the many fantastic cultural events and small businesses that make Stoke town their home.”
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, Cabinet member for Transport, Infrastructure and Regeneration, said: “It is important that the money we have secured is used well, and for the benefit of our local communities and residents, so we want to hear from you about how you would like to see this money spent. Please get in touch if you have an idea.”
Greening projects can bring a number of benefits to the high street, including helping to increase its vibrancy and visual appeal and providing new social spaces that increase the time spent by visitors in the area.
The aim of these projects is to increase the number and diversity of people using Stoke town high street, improve the biodiversity and provide greater opportunities for people to engage in the heritage of Stoke Town.
For more information, or to discuss any project ideas, people can email [email protected]
