Longton's getting a boost with new shops and a cafe opening their doors

Plus what's next for Twyford, nature restoration at Ford Green Brook, £4.5 million for domestic violence survivors and don't-miss events for August and September

Aug 03, 2026

Young entrepreneur Ellie Meredith, 19, opened Sugar Rush Social at Longton market last week. Pic: Sugar Rush Social Facebook page

🥨 A word from Helen, editor/writer at The Knot

Hi, how are you? Welcome to The Knot’s weekly round-up of positive news from across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire – here to brighten your Monday.

From what you’ve been reading and sharing on Substack, Instagram and Facebook , we know you love stories about what’s new in the area. Whether it’s the latest developments from Capital & Centric in Newcastle (we’ve got an interview with them coming next month, so keep an eye out), or new cafe, restaurants and independent shops opening their doors, we’ll keep bringing you the good news.

It often feels like you wait ages for a new cafe or shop to open, then several arrive at once. That’s certainly the case in Longton, where a number of new businesses have opened in The Exchange and Longton Market over the past week.

If you’re planning a visit, the market is hosting a Carnival Day on Saturday 22 August (10am–3pm), with free face painting, and retro games like hook-a-duck, coconut shy, and ring toss. It seems like the perfect excuse to browse the new shops before treating yourself to a milkshake at the retro diner Sugar Rush Social.

Have a wonderful week, and don’t miss Wednesday’s feature on homelessness, which includes insights from Trevor Cottam, CEO of the Gingerbread Centre.

PS: We’d love to grow The Knot and reach more people who enjoy positive local news. If you know someone who’d like it too, we’d be so grateful if you could share this newsletter with a friend, family member or colleague. Thank you so much for your support!

Good News 🎉

🥰 More things to do in Longton Everything’s happening at once in Longton! Toy shop SDPrime Toys opened last Saturday, with squishes, fidget toys and gifts. The old Wilco site is set to be replaced, too, as budget home and family store Boyes is opening there soon. We love all this teenage entrepreneurialism, too: over at Longton market, 19-year old Ellie Meredith has opened an American-inspired diner, Sugar Rush Social, for milkshakes and retro drinks, as has True Grain workshop, run by 18-year-old entrepreneur Riley, who also offers handyman services. Don’t miss, too, local artist Rob Fenton’s first stall, Hustlers of Culture, for all your art needs, including acrylics, spray paints, and sketchbooks.

🎬 THE KNOT’S PEOPLE OF THE WEEK – Inspired Film & Video 🎬

Change is afoot at Spode, where Inspired Film and Video has just moved into its new premises at Spode Creative Village, where it will join the growing createch community. The move will also support the appointment of two new members of staff and give the company additional space for production, editing, animation and podcast recording. The team produces film and animation work, plus social media content and live streaming services. Celebrating 20 years of business in 2026, some of its clients include Royal Stoke, Staffordshire University, Wedgwood, and Steelite.

Inspired Film & Video on location at the Royal Stoke

🚽 Twyford will live on. While it’s sad that such a historic building is set to be demolished, there was a big fire in 2012 and was allowed to be used as a dumping ground for illegal waste by its previous owners. Cllr Findlay Gordon McCusker, cabinet member for transport, planning, and infrastructure, pointed out that the best way to protect a historic building is to give it a future: finding a viable new use, securing investment and preserving the features that make it special. “At the flagship Twyford’s Cliffe Vale site, historic industrial buildings have been converted into homes while retaining their character,” he added.

👩‍🦰 Funding for domestic violence survivors. There’s £4.5 million coming to Staffordshire County Council for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The funding from central government, which covers 2026–2030, will provide safe accommodation and support services for victims of domestic abuse, including refuges and specialist support for survivors and their children. The council currently works with local safe accommodation providers Staffordshire Women’s Aid, Glow, and Pathway Project, and supported 460 adults and children last year.
🐸 Nature restoration work at Ford Green Brook. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s project will create a range of new habitats to help plants and animals thrive, including digging shallow ponds, widening sections of the brook and reshaping parts of the channel to allow the water to flow in a more natural way. These changes will create slower-moving water in some areas and deeper, faster sections in others. This variety is important for wildlife, helping different species to feed, shelter and breed. Work is to begin on Monday 24 August, weather-dependent, with the project expected to take around five to six weeks.

Here’s a common frog, cute or what? Pic: Guy Edwardes

😃 Our Top Five Don’t-Miss Events this Week. Ey up, it’s Bottle Oven Day soon (29/08), which commemorates the date in 1978 when a Potteries bottle oven was kindled and fired for the last time. To mark the occasion, Barewall is hosting an exhibition of these mighty giants by model maker Chris Twigg and photographer Phil Crow from 10am-3pm; refreshments will be available.

There’s a Family Fun Day coming (09/08, 10am-4pm) at Tunstall Park and the floral hall, with live performances, a bouncy castle, plus food and drink stalls; admission free, with all proceeds going to Royal Stoke’s cancer unit. It’s the 60th anniversary of the Penkhull Festival of Music & Art this year (24-26/09), which mixes music with visual arts, exhibitions and community events: we like the sound of Schubert by Candlelight and A Poet's Echo (25/09, 7.30pm, tickets £25); book tickets for all individual events here.

Step aboard the Butty and Brew Breakfast Train (05/09, 12/09 & 19/09; departs 10.30 from Froghall Station) for a bap and hot drink and scenic views; tickets £15. Feeling spooky? It’s almost time for Scarefest at Alton Towers (06-27/09, 02-04/10, 09-11/10, 16/10-01/10) where you’ll not only meet some scary characters but also get to ride many of the major rollercoasters after dark.

🥨 Most popular stories from the last week on The Knot

😍 Meet the volunteers who’ve kept Gladstone going for 50 years: Now in their 70s, Terry Woolliscroft and Paul Niblett are still turning up to support the museum
🌹 Andy Burnham is PM. What does it mean for Stoke?: From our ceramics industry to homelessness, we break it down based on what the new Northern PM has said so far
🏺 Exploring Stoke’s global ceramics influence: There’s a new publication, Legacy and Continuity: Willow Pattern Ceramics and Stories of ‘Other’; download it for free.

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