Stoke-on-Trent’s creative industries – and the way the are powering regeneration – were showcased during a visit by a Government minister.
Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, hosted a visit by Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, at the historic Spode site in Stoke, which was hailed as a driver of the city’s creative and digital future.
The visit also highlighted how creative industries are positioning Stoke-on-Trent to secure new opportunities, including a bid for formal Creative Cluster status which aims to lever in millions of pounds worth of investment in skills and research.
Touring the site ahead of the British Ceramics Biennial, the minister visited companies including Claybody Theatre, developers Dog & Bone, who have transformed the site, and firms in the city’s growing Createch cluster, which fuses creativity with digital innovation to drive skills, enterprise and jobs.
Gareth said: “The Spode site is more than a historic landmark – it’s a catalyst for creativity. From Claybody Theatre telling the stories of our city, to the British Ceramics Biennial putting Stoke-on-Trent on the world stage, to our emerging Createch community driving digital transformation, this is where our heritage and our future come together.
“The work taking place here shows that Stoke-on-Trent can be at the forefront of the UK’s creative and digital economy. Spode has the potential to power regeneration, create opportunities for local people, and put our city right at the heart of Britain’s digital transformation.”
Andy Jackson, founder of award-winning digital agency i-creation and a lead partner in the Createch cluster, told the minister how the city’s creative businesses were serving a global client list through fast-moving research and development including gaming tech and harnessing capabilities of artificial intelligence.
He said: “Our partnership with University of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent City Council means we are now in a strong position to bid for formal Creative Cluster status.
“Achieving this would bring significant benefits to the city – unlocking new investment, strengthening research and innovation, and helping local businesses scale and compete nationally and internationally.”
After visiting the Spode site, the Minister went on to Newcastle-under-Lyme where he was given an insight into the strength of the town’s visitor economy, cultural life and digital innovation.
He joined a tourism forum at the Brampton Museum, toured the New Vic Theatre and visited Keele University’s Digital Society Institute at Innovation Centre 7 (IC7), meeting researchers and business leaders to hear about pioneering work on data, digitalisation and society.
Adam Jogee, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, said: “From our visitor economy to our cultural institutions and our world-class university, Newcastle-under-Lyme is full of pride and potential. I’ll continue to work with Ministers to make sure our voice is heard loud and clear in Westminster, and that we get the investment and recognition we deserve.”
The Minister said he was ‘inspired’ by the people he met and the ‘passion’ they have for their work and their impact on the community.
He added: “Newcastle-under-Lyme is brimming with talent and potential – in culture, in tourism, and in the digital economy.
“The Government is determined to back communities like this to thrive, attract investment, and create opportunities for the future.
“Hearing from tourism leaders at the Brampton Museum, seeing the creative energy of the New Vic Theatre, and visiting Keele’s innovative Digital Society Institute has underlined the remarkable strengths of Newcastle-under-Lyme.”
