Government Minister ‘blown away’ by regeneration projects during Stoke-on-Trent visit

Government Minister Baroness Taylor of Stevenage visited Stoke-on-Trent to look at the exciting regeneration developments taking place.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government visited at the start of Stoke-on-Trent's Centenary year to see how this city of creativity and industry is using a new partnership approach to drive regeneration now and into the future.

During her time in the city, she visited the multi-million-pound Goods Yard development and the Spode site, which are prime examples of how this renewal is taking place - backed by Government funding.

Baroness Taylor said: “The regeneration projects I have seen have blown me away – the potential of these wonderful historic buildings being converted into new uses is fantastic.

“I hope the people of Stoke-on-Trent will carry on doing just what they are doing - making homes for people, creating jobs here and building up those creative industries, which are going to be so important for the future of our country.”

During her visit Baroness Taylor first listened to a presentation at the Civic Centre on the huge opportunities for regeneration and development in Stoke-on-Trent, which included the challenges and issues facing the city.

She later toured the Spode Works visiting the Spode Museum, British Ceramics Biennial studio and Claybody Theatre Group, which is based at the regenerated Dipping House on the site.

Afterwards, she went to Goods Yard – the new neighbourhood development of 174 rental homes, 30,000 sq ft of workspace, independent bars, eateries, coffee shops and stores.

Tom Wilmot, Managing Director of Goods Yard developer Capital & Centric, took the Baroness on a tour of the site, which is set to open in the Spring.

Councillor Jane Ashworth, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “It was fantastic to welcome Baroness Taylor here and to showcase our city.

“We have tremendous potential for growth and improvement and our plans for building more high quality, affordable housing as well as regenerating our historic buildings and creating jobs are bearing fruit.”