From Legacy to Landmark: Spode Works Regeneration Gets the Go-Ahead
Plus Stoke's first honorary custodian named, supporting disadvantaged young people, new initiative for those with muscle & joint pain and revitalising Stoke's derelict spots
Good News 🎉
🏭 All Go for Spode Works. A warren of buildings, kilns and workshops that tells the story of centuries of craftsmanship, Spode Works is being reimagined as a vibrant neighbourhood of homes, creative workspaces and public spaces by Capital&Centric and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The site includes 11 Grade II listed buildings that showcase classic industrial architecture and the evolution of the pottery works. The council’s cabinet has signed off on the partnership, setting the stage for a major overhaul that will blend these historic structures with bold new architecture.
👨🏻 THE KNOT’S PERSON OF THE WEEK – Stoke’s first honorary custodian 👨🏻
Former council leader and two-time Lord Mayor, Ross Irving has been recognised as the first honorary custodian of Stoke-on-Trent and received a Centenary Badge of Honour for his efforts. The badge, a collaboration between Duchess China and Skelhorne Jewellers, was designed and crafted locally as part of the city’s Centenary programme. Councillor Irving was first elected to the city council more than 50 years ago in 1973, making him the city’s longest-serving councillor. He has twice served as Lord Mayor (2017-2018 and 2020-2021) and led the council from 2009-2010.
👩🏻 Supporting Disadvantaged Young People in Stoke. Businesses are being called on to help secure the city’s future by backing the Future Ready Pledge and offer work-based learning, work experience, taster days, and job opportunities to
young people aged 16–24 who have experienced disadvantage. It’s being launched by a citywide partnership between YMCA North Staffordshire,
the YES Consortium, Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, Stoke-on-Trent City
Council, and Made in Stoke. Go here to find out more and sign the pledge.
🪴 Revitalising Stoke, One Derelict Spot at a Time. A community group has taken the name of our city’s motto E Terris Dare Artem (‘to produce beauty from the earth’) and is transforming derelict and semi-derelict sites into points of interest that aim to welcome visitors and act as places of rest and relaxation for residents and workers. One current focus, according to this lovely piece by Jerome Whittingham, is a dry strip of land under Fleming Road in Stoke.
💪 Programme to Ease Muscle & Joint Pain. More than 20 million people in the UK live with a musculoskeletal related condition, which is why Sport England has launched a therapeutic programme, Good Boost, designed to help improve balance, strength and cardiovascular fitness through low level rehab exercises. Held at Dimensions Leisure Centre, each 45-minute session will cost £2.50. You’ll need to be 45 or older to take part and able to exercise independently. More here.
✍️ Calling All Young Poets & Artists. Open to students in years 7-13, the University of Staffordshire’s Poetry and Visual Arts Project can get involved by writing a poem or producing a piece of artwork on one of three themes: Memories, Sanctuary and Up ‘Anley Duck. All poems are reproduced in a digital anthology with a star piece of work in each section, chosen by our Stoke poet laureate, Nick Degg. Send your poem or a pic of your artwork to this email. Star Poem winners will receive a £10 book token and Star Artwork winners will win a box of art goodies. Move fast on this one, though, as the closing date is 09/06.
Really Good News 🎉 Your favourite news from the last week
🥨 Introducing The Knot Lichfield edition: The very talented Sophia Moseley is now our writer on the ground here – tell all your friends in Lichfield to take a look!
🎸 The Knot Gig Guide: We launched a separate section with our great new writer Jason Ritchie to bring you all the latest music happenings in the area
🏟️ What’s On: There are so many events coming up that we’ve also created a What’s On guide that goes beyond the latest stuff we bring you in our Tuesday edition
The Knot Pod 🎤 ⬇️ Catch James chatting with some of our amazing innovators
🥨 The Red Haired Stokie: Our ace local blogger, photographer & Knot contributor
🗣️ Kirsty Hulse: Get inspired, it’s the founder of leading event Confidence Live
🏃♂️ George Bettany: Jog to this chat with the founder of MARA Run Club
📽️ Daniel Moore: So much creativity going on in Stone at top agency Dissident
🎶: Ash and Ryan: Listen to two of Stoke’s biggest names in music and fashion
🕯️Beth Warren: Founder of sustainable candle brand The Wandering Bee
🥨 Good Vibes Only: A word from Helen, writer at The Knot
Whether you think the apartments at Goods Yard represent an exciting opportunity for residents to live, work and play in a cool dynamic space, or that the apartments are simply over-priced (rent starts at £850 a month for a one-bed) and set to be populated by wealthy commuters, there’s no denying that developers Capital&Centric have created a unique proposition for our city. (Check out our socials for James’s in-depth walkaround of the development if you haven’t seen it yet).
Now that the space is officially open, the developer has plenty more work to do in our city, including a big revamp of Newcastle. Next up is its redevelopment of Spode Works, which covers around 10 acres of space in Stoke town centre. It’s already working on detailed plans and will be consulting with locals later this year.
Touted as a catalyst for attracting new people, new ideas and new investment into the area, Tom Wilmot, joint managing director of Capital&Centric, says it’s not just about restoring bricks and mortar but creating a landmark neighbourhood that taps into the city’s creative energy. But what do you think? Let us know in the comments below…
Helen x
Weekly Weather (Stoke-on-Trent):
Mon 🌤️ 18° (10°) Tue 🌤️ 16° (8°) Wed 🌦️ 16° (8°) Thu 🌦️ 17° (11°) Fri 🌦️ 18° (10°)
Sat 🌦️ 18° (9°) Sun 🌧️ 18° (9°).
Sunrise 02/06 ☀️04:49 Sunset 02/06 🌅 21:25
