£20 million plans for a higher than hi-tech data centre at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent have been given the green light, along with business developments accommodating 40 jobs.
The latest phase of development is being delivered by Spode Works Regeneration, who have already transformed large parts of the historic Spode site, in Stoke Town, as offices, hospitality and hotel space.
The new scheme brings derelict art deco style buildings back into use in the most stylish of developments.
Two createch businesses have taken up new office space, while the first and second floors will house self-contained apartments for rent to contractors, consultants and anyone else who needs more than a hotel room and less than a long term arrangement.
The stylish building is topped with a large rooftop terrace, complete with loos and catering facilities, which site tenants can use for their events.
The large warehouse section of the same building will hold a conference space for up to 90 people with top audio visual facilities.
It also houses a huge upgrade to the site’s biomass heating system, and the 2.5 megawatt data centre, funded by artificial intelligence giant Greenweaver AI, which has 300 data centre sites across Europe.
These elements of the scheme are expected to be ready by October this year.
In addition, recovered energy from the data centre’s cooling system will provide heat to the whole of the Spode site, including future development phases – and it could be used in future to heat the city council’s civic centre and other important buildings in the town.
Spode Works Regeneration’s Jeff Nash, whose business is investing £2.1 million in this phase, supported by £2.1 million of government Levelling Up funding administered by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Now the planning consent is in place we’re finalising the deals and moving on at pace.
“The data centre and sustainable energy output is an amazing detail. It puts the Spode site at the heart of energy innovation since the 1700s, from water power supplied by Fowlea Brook, through coal fired steam engines, to gas kilns and now renewable energy recovered from an AI engine.”
Another planning application has been submitted to develop the Grade II listed building which fronts the historic Spode courtyard.
That application includes a number of stylish new offices, space to house the Spode museum’s priceless collection of 30,000 copper plates used in the factory’s manufacturing heyday, and a state-of-the-art recording studio in a top floor space which will rival the legendary Abbey Road studio in London.
Jeff said: “All of our plans are there in detail, fully funded and fully let. We tend to move people in to completed units before the final paint is dry.”
• Spode Works Regeneration’s development includes the biggest news for Stoke-on-Trent hospitality so far this year… but you’ll have to wait ‘til Friday to find out more in Daily Focus. Also, check out tomorrow’s Daily Focus for more news on the Spode site from developers Capital & Centric. To subscribe to the free Daily Focus morning mailout, follow this link.
