Stoke begins hunt for partner on 10-year city centre revamp

Stoke-on-Trent is seeking a development partner after refreshing its vision for the regeneration of the city centre.

A procurement process was launched through the Pagabo framework this week, with private investment expected to drive the transformation of the city’s skyline.

The move comes after a growing shortfall in the council’s budget, identified late last year, dealt a major blow to some of the most high-profile projects in the city.

The council was forced to reconsider its proposals for the seven-acre Etruscan Square development site, scrapping plans for a 3,600-capacity arena and 138-bedroom hotel. A separate planning application for a new multi-storey car park on nearby Meigh Street was also shelved.

Phase one of the Etruscan Square scheme, which secured planning approval in April 2023 for 170 homes, is expected to go ahead, thanks to the £20m Levelling Up Partnership funding secured last week.

A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesman said: “With approval finally given, we will now crack on with delivery at pace.”

The final site investigation works are due to start this summer and complete in the autumn.

Modern and multifunctional

In the meantime, the council is open to outline plans being revised by incoming developers, with options for further phases to include leisure and entertainment uses.

Jon Rouse, city director and head of paid service at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We need a modern, multifunctional box that can accommodate up to 1,500 people in all sorts of configurations. It wouldn’t just be for performances – it could be for conferences, exhibitions or weddings.

“We would consider helping deliver that as part of this scheme if that is beneficial to the potential development partner who comes forward.”

Etruscan Square is expected to form a big part of the 10-year development plans for the city centre, alongside the neighbouring 12-acre Bucknall Road development site, which has the potential for up to 538 homes; the five-acre Pyenest Street development site, with capacity for up to 213 homes; and the three-acre North Shelton development site, which could see as many as 300 homes. Rouse expects to have up to four strategic partners working across the city.

“We are offering not just Etruscan, but also a long-term partnership whereby we will put in other sites as well,” Rouse added. We have initially packaged four sites, but we have said we are open on a deal-by-deal basis to put in other sites that we own to extend the partnership, which could last anything up to 10 years in terms of a long-term development relationship.”

Partners are expected to be chosen in September, with a view to draft development agreements being in place by April next year. In addition, the council, alongside its partners, Mace and Homes England, will launch a consultation with local residents and stakeholders.

Rouse said: “Our expectation is that the developer will come with a broad funding proposition and will give us enough confidence that there is going to be a line of investment into these sites going forward.”

The investment required from the potential partners to drive the delivery of the four projects is estimated at around £100m.

Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We have a number of major projects in progress or preparing to start. We need a joined-up approach to maximise the potential for the city and local people.

“We want to develop a viable proposal for the city centre. The starting point will be to understand the big issues affecting people’s experience of the city centre and how to make it work better and to improve lives. This will shape key themes for the development of the plan.”