Have your say on the Spode Works Revamp
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Good News 🎉
🏺 A New Vision for Spode. The next chapter for Spode Works is taking shape and you can have your say before plans are submitted to the council at Capital & Centric’s drop-in event on 26/03 from 3pm-7pm at the China Halls at Spode Works with free pizza, pints and padel. The developer hopes to transform Spode Works into a landmark destination, with consultation already launched on phase one, with new leisure uses including a food and drink hangout and padel courts. Plans also include a new public walking route through the China Halls, and the proposed demolition of Gordon House to reveal the full façade of the China Hall. The existing Spode Rose Garden, meanwhile, is also slated to be extended, alongside other new public green spaces. No need to book, just turn up.
🏺 THE KNOT’S PERSON OF THE WEEK – Sarah Edwards 🏺
Described as courageous, compassionate and mature, Martec Training Motor Vehicle learner Sarah Edwards recently scooped the Young Hero award at the Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Heroes Awards, an annual initiative launched during the borough’s 850th anniversary to celebrate residents and organisations making a positive impact. In addition to daily caring responsibilities, Sarah helps her wider community by raising money for local charities, contributing to a food bank and well-being initiatives alongside playing an active role in improving support for people with disabilities through her work at Martec Training. Well done, Sarah, we’re proud of you!
Sarah Edwards with her Young Hero award at Newcastle’s Heroes Awards
Be a Part of the Great North Staffordshire Clay Map. Clay College is asking Stokies to dig some clay from where they live and contribute it to the Great North Staffordshire Clay Map. It plans to process and fire the donations, then observe the many colours of the clay we walk on all the time. The map will be displayed Earth Day at Middleport Pottery on 26/04. Keen? There are more details here.
Dig some clay from where you live and contribute to the Great North Staffordshire Clay Map 👩🦰 Staffs Uni Develops VR App to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls. The new app developed by the University of Staffordshire and TKO Consulting is using virtual reality to raise awareness of violence against women and girls. The project is the brainchild of former Stoke City footballer Meg Bowyer who has been subjected to sexual harassment on multiple occasions when out exercising. Using a VR headset, participants step into the role of Zoe, a woman walking home alone. As events unfold, users are confronted with inappropriate comments and the experience of being followed – situations many women face regularly.
🏆 Winners at the Staffs & Stoke Tourism Awards. So, who won? Emma Bridgewater Factory scooped Small Visitor Attraction of the Year. The Tawny Hotel made it a double win with Hotel of the Year and Restaurant of the Year for the Plumicorn. Thyme Kitchen won the Casual Dining Award and The Fitzherbert Arms retained Pub of the Year title. The Experience of the Year went to Hoar Cross Hall, for its Rural Retreat Spa stay, and the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park award went to Quarry Walk Park, in the Staffordshire Moorlands. A new category for 2026, the Regenerative Tourism Award, was won by Eagle House Eccleshall. The Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat team were named Team of the Year after recovering from devastating flood damage to their venue, and the Rising Star Award went to Poppy Gascoine from Desire Cocktail Bar in Hanley.
🏺 Historic Busts Back on Display. Two historic terracotta busts rescued from the Wedgwood Institute in Burslem are back on public display for the first time in decades. The sculptures, believed to depict prominent 19th-century figures William Woodall and James Maddock, are on show at Barewall Art Gallery after being carefully removed during safeguarding work at the Grade II* listed building.
Two busts rescued from the Wedgwood Institute are back on public display for the first time in decades
🥨 A word from Helen, editor/writer at The Knot
The long-term vision for the 10-acre Spode Works site is to transform the historic pottery factory into a buzzing neighbourhood with new homes, indie cafes, bars, restaurants, creative workspaces and inviting public spaces, say its developers, Capital & Centric.
As with all of its projects, the approach at Spode Works will be to restore the historic buildings that can be brought back to life while carefully removing parts of the site that are beyond repair. Managing Director Tom Wilmot is keen to see the site once again enjoyed by the local community. “Spode Works is packed with proper Stoke history and character, so the aim is simple – keep what makes it special and open it up so people can actually enjoy it again.”
Feedback at the upcoming event on 26/03 will help shape the plans before submission, with the consultation remaining open until 06/04. Whether you have a great idea for the redevelopment or simply want to put your questions to the team on the proposed plans, go along and make your voice heard.
Really Good News 🎉 Your favourite news from the last week
🥨 Longton, Newcastle and Leek in Race for UK Town of Culture 2028: a trio of Staffs towns are in the running; there’s a prize of £3 million to deliver a cultural programme
👨🍳 Three AA Rosettes for the Plumicorn: the restaurant at the Tawny Hotel is the first to achieve this impressive accolade
🧸 Play at Wedgwood this Easter: there’s a new play space opening on 28/03…
Weekly Weather (Stoke-on-Trent):
Mon 🌦️ 11° (5°) Tue 🌧️ 13° (4°) Wed 🌦️ 8° (2°) Thu 🌧️ 9° (2°) Fri 🌧️ 9° (4°)
Sat 🌧️ 9° (3°) Sun 🌧️ 11° (4°).
Sunrise 23/03: 06.05 ☀️ Sunset 23/03: 18.26 🌅