Residents urged to help shape transformational multi-million-pound town centre plans

Residents are to be asked to have their say on multi-million-pound plans to transform three town centres.

A total of £6 million in Government funding is being spent to carry out public realm improvements in Tunstall, Burslem and Stoke.

The aim is to help attract extra footfall, boost business activity and tap into the heritage of each of the towns.

In Tunstall, proposals include better connecting key areas of the town like the High Street, Tower Square, Butterfield Place and Alexandra Park shopping area and creating a high-quality public space for the town focussed on Tower Square and the Clock Tower.

In Burslem, the proposed public realm work will focus on the Queen Street area, which is the location of several Listed Buildings including Burslem School of Art and the Wedgwood Institute. The scheme will improve the historic Conservation Area with natural stone paving and new tree planting to create an attractive environment, encouraging more people into the town centre.

In Stoke, the money is to be centred on improving the public square on South Wolfe Street - adjacent to Stoke library - to create a vibrant community space for regular outdoor events, including street markets and live music events.

Public consultations will take place over the next few weeks and will give people the chance to have their say on their priorities. Feedback will help shape the work, which will start later this year.

The consultation events are:

• Burslem – Burslem School of Art – Friday, 21 February (10am to 4pm) and Saturday, 22 February (10am to 2pm).
• Tunstall – Tunstall Indoor Market – Friday, 7 March (10am to 4pm) and Saturday, 8 March (10am to 2pm).
• Stoke – Stoke Indoor Market – Friday, 7 March (10am to 4pm) and Saturday, 8 March (10am to 2pm).

The work will complement other Government-funded projects taking place in and around the towns, such as the £3.5 million former Tunstall Library building development; a £20 million transformation of the Spode site in Stoke; and multi-million-pound investment to preserve, protect and bring into use Burslem’s historic buildings – including The Wedgwood Institute and Burslem Indoor Market.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for Transport, Infrastructure and Regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We really want as many people as possible to feedback on these exciting plans which will help to breathe new life into Burslem, Stoke and Tunstall town centres.

“The regeneration proposals we have set out will improve the economic viability of the towns, help better link key parts of the towns and are being developed to complement the other exciting project work taking place.

“So, it is vital to hear residents’ priorities for spending the money and to use these ideas to shape the final plan ready for work to start later this year.”

More details on the proposals will be added here closer to the consultation events: www.stoke.gov.uk/publicrealm 

People can also have their say by emailing: PublicRealm@stoke.gov.uk