Stoke town centre gets £500,000 boost
Visitors to Stoke town centre will see its outdoor spaces become brighter and greener thanks to a £500,000 grant.
The money has been awarded to the Stoke High Street Accelerator project from the UK Government’s Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities.
Staff and volunteers from a range of organisations including town centre businesses, and creative organisations B Arts and Festival Stoke, and Friends of Spode Rose Garden helped apply for the grant.
A range of projects have been suggested (but not agreed yet) including:
· More floral displays throughout the town.
· A wild-play area for children.
· Introducing lots of bright and tactile plants into the high street.
· Grants for businesses and community venues to make their outside areas greener.
· Creating an area alongside Spoke Rose Garden where people can learn about horticulture.
· Improving the walkway on the canal into the town.
· Organised nature walks around the area.
Michael Escolme, chair of the Stoke High Street Accelerator (HSA) Board and Spode Museum manager, said: “As we know green space in Stoke Town is limited. The approval of this funding is a positive step forward to helping to improve this. I look forward to working with the local communities and businesses on its delivery in the town.”
Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and planning, said: "We’re delighted and will use this funding to boost visits to our high street. We have identified a range of town centre entry points that would benefit from improvement to encourage the flow of people. We will use the money to create pretty floral meadows, and pockets of wildlife to attract families in particular.
“It will also be fantastic to pay homage to our ceramic heritage through colour palettes infused throughout brightly coloured planters outside our markets, libraries and pedestrian areas for families to see and smell. We'll also be offering community horticultural sessions, art trails and waterway walks as well as nature connection events."
A workshop is planned to be held in June where the Stoke HSA board, businesses and stakeholders will meet to explore the challenges that town centres are facing and what would help to make the town centre better. If you’re a business or community group who wants to be involved or for further information, please contact StokeHSA@stoke.gov.uk