Stoke Town Regeneration Newsletter (May)

NEWSLETTER

Stoke Town Regeneration

Contents 1. Masterplanning, Spode 2. Empty Properties back

to life! 3. Stoke Town Conservation

area Stoke 2010k Run

Six Shortlisted for historic town masterplanning Following 24 expressions of interest from leading national and international practices, six design teams have been short-listed to plan the future redevelopment of one of the historic towns of Stoke-on-Trent. The six short-listed teams are:

• Atkins (lead architects Studio Egret West)

• BDP (Lead architects BDP)

• Foster & Partners (Sir Norman Fosters

practice)

• Macreanor Lavington (lead architects

Macreanor Lavington)

• Savills (lead architect CZWG - Piers

Gough)

• Urbed (lead architects URBED and Jan

Gehls) Each team will now submit a formal tender including outline proposals for the Spode Works site and how it can connect with and revitalise the town centre. Proposals will be made available for public comment during the tender process. The final selection will be made in July. Councillor Brian Ward, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We developed an inspirational brief for this commission as it represents a fantastic opportunity to lead the regeneration of Stoke

Spode site acquisition Stoke-on-Trent City Council, part of the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnerhip (NSRP) which is leading the £1.5 billion regeneration programme across North Staffordshire, has agreed the purchase of the Spode Works site – a huge decision for the future of the town. Through inspirational design, the site can be connected to the Kingsway car park site and the town centre, leading the long term regeneration of the town through a creative mixed use development that makes the best possible use of the remarkable quality of the site and buildings. So the masterplan will start to show how this historic town centre pottery site can be redeveloped to play a significant role in the regeneration of Stoke Town.

Town. We have had a remarkable response from leading international architects and masterplanners. We are delighted that the teams have recognised the opportunity to play a key role in tackling the challenges of the town and exploit its unique character, remarkable qualities and connections. ” The masterplan will guide investment in to the

town over the coming 10 to 15 years.

stoke.gov.uk/stoketown

Empty Properties - back to life! Empty shops and other empty spaces in Stoke Town are visible evidence of the challenge faced by Stoke Town. They also represent an opportunity to showcase new uses and re-animate the town in a creative way with a number of benefits:

• Improving the physical environment

• Encouraging existing businesses to

continue to invest in their businesses

• Encourage potential businesses to take a

stake in the town

• Improve footfall and spend in the town by

improving the customer experience

• Highlight potential future uses of empty

buildings, signposting the vision for the future of the town

Stoke Town Regeneration is embarking upon a range of empty property projects. We see this as a great opportunity to breathe new life into some of the more tired looking areas of the Town, as well as attracting extra visitors into the area. We have a series of projects, which we hope will improve the Stoke Town experience in the future.

Pretty Vacant—Woolworths Real life Stoke Town heroes are to be celebrated in the former Woolworths store.

Stoke-Town Regeneration is working with two city artists, Chris Guest and Darren Washington, will capture local legends in Stoke Town. Pretty Vacant is funded by the British Arts Council and Department for Communities and Local Government. The former Woolworths shop will be re-opened with a combination of art, photography and digital media to showcase the characters and heritage of Stoke Town. “The project will bring the former Woolworths store back to life, celebrate Stoke Town and the community who live their as well as encouraging footfall in to the town centre”, said Regeneration Manager, Kevin Bell. Research into the project is already underway, so keep your eyes peeled for when work finally commences on the site.

“SHOP”: Staffordshire University graduate Gemma Thomas has received funding from Arts Council England to deliver her SHOP programme in an empty Church street shop. On hearing the news, she said “the project within Stoke Town offers a unique opportunity to bring contemporary art forms to new and existing audiences, developing local artists and make a real difference to the town”. The SHOP programme includes performances, projections, exhibitions, artists residencies and events.

Glebe Street Bridge Proposals to improve the rail bridge remain in development. Outline designs are in preparation to improve this vital ‘stepping stone’ into the town from the station and the University Quarter. With a reopened Glebe pub and an im-proved bridge Stoke Town will present a great welcome to visitors!



Indoor Market: The ArtBay, Stoke Town Regeneration and sponsors Staffordshire Housing Association are running a competition, with work by winning artists displayed on the side on the Indoor Market, facing the Market Square. Artwork will be chosen by the local community - you can vote in Stoke Local Centre, outside the Regeneration office. Window graphics: Watch out for graphics in other Church Street empties to brighten up the town. Poster Trail: Staffordshire University lecturer and guest editor for longhouse.uk.com, Anna Francis, has organised an arts competition, winning entries will be displayed on vacant premises in Glebe Street. Please visit the Longhouse website to see all entries to the poster trail. BareWall: Burslem based arts company BareWall will bring the prominent corner premises on Church Street/Glebe Street back to life through an art exhibition celebrating local football success stories, and the World Cup. Artists Paine Proffitt and Nicolas Hudson Paine, who have held successful international exhibitions are on board. Old Library: We are working on short term uses of the Old Library as office space whilst we work towards more appropriate long term uses of this beautiful building.

The Glebe pub: We are delighted the Glebe pub is now undergoing refurbishment. Joules Brewery plan to open in September 2010 - watch this space!

West End Village: This £18million Staffordshire Housing Association project - 100 “extra care” eco-excellence homes - is progressing well on London Road, completing New Year 2011. A show property is now available for viewing by appointment. This project, together with the RENEW works to garden walls, helps to improve London Road as a key gateway into Stoke Town centre. Enterprise Coach - Gayle Jessiman, your Stoke Town Enterprise Coach has now helped 5 new businesses get underway; a further client get into self-employment; and is awaiting confirmation of 3 other clients developing their business ideas. So if you want to start a business, open a market stall or are thinking about self employment why not contact Gayle through the Regeneration Team? Its free!

Christmas Celebrations The date for the Christmas light switch on has been announced for Wednesday 1st December. Festivities and events will be announced closer to the event, so keep your diary free!!



2010k The Stoke 2010k is a big part of this year’s Festival of Sport, centenary celebrations and events designed to support Stoke Town regeneration. With a 10k race covering Stoke Town and the University Quarter and a 2k Stoke Town Fun Run, taking place on Sunday 30

th Mays

several thousand visitors are expected to come to the town, watching the race, visiting the Fair on Kingsway and bringing precious footfall into the town. The 2010k is one of a series of events designed to improve footfall with Christmas 2010 celebrations already planned for 1st December.

Stoke Town Regeneration Team: Kevin Bell - Regeneration Manager Janice Edwards - Project Support Officer Tel: 01782-234861 Tel: 01782-233460 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Office Address: Stoke Town Regeneration Office Local Service Centre South Wolfe Street Stoke-on-Trent ST4 4SZ The team work closely with a range of partners (public and private) to deliver projects. We are grateful to all our partners for their support.

New recruits to Stoke Town Regeneration Board In line with terms of reference for the Shadow Board, Tristram Hunt (MP for Stoke on Trent Central) joins along with Paul Richards, Deputy Vice Chan-cellor, Staffordshire University. Thanks go to departing mem-ber Ian Mitchell.

Conservation Area The Stoke Town Conservation Area has now been de-

clared, protecting the towns precious heritage (including Spode )and opening doors to heritage funding to bring important empty properties back to life.


Documents

Stoke Town Regeneration Newsletter (May)