The ambitious redevelopment of a former Stoke-on-Trent pottery works looks set to take a huge leap forward.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Cabinet is being asked to appoint Capital & Centric – the group behind the landmark renovation of Goods Yard – as development partner for the site, marking a huge milestone in its regeneration.
The move would see the company allocated up to £6.5 million of Levelling Up money to deliver the work as part of the wider masterplan for the site.
Proposals, which will be subject to planning and other permissions, include preparation of the site, landscaping, demolition of some buildings with no heritage value as well as the development of new high-quality residential buildings to create a thriving neighbourhood across the historic site that is full integrated with Stoke town centre.
The deal would also allow Capital & Centric to bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding which would enable it to bring the China Halls back into operational use.
The proposed partnership does not include the whole site which will continue to host a diverse range of tenants such as Dog & Bone Ltd, ACAVA, BCB and Claybody Theatre.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, regeneration and infrastructure at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “The regeneration of the Spode site will provide the opportunity for businesses and organisations to operate from a unique location, in the heart of the city.
“It will create employment and economic benefits, which will help to ensure the long-term survival of this site and bring with it the potential of attracting further external funding that otherwise would not have been possible.
“Capital & Centric has a long track record of delivering regeneration projects and is already working closely with the council to deliver Goods Yard, next to the railway station. We are pleased that they are committed to working with us in the future to develop another important heritage site in the city.”
The Spode site was acquired by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in 2010, two years after the factory closed and went into administration.
In 2022, the council secured £10 million of Levelling Up Funding to invest in the site and bring it back into use.
Since August 2024, work has progressed on the delivery of a new masterplan for Spode. Asbestos removal work has been carried out across many of the heritage buildings, lease terms are being agreed for building 4 and the planned refurbishments of units 1F and 1G are ongoing to provide more space for the on-site Spode Museum.
The final decision on a development partner for the site will be made at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 27 May.
