Local brews on tap: new neighbourhood bar and eatery coming to Stoke’s Goods Yard

Plus £9 million towards social care reform, new initiative to support those at risk of suicide, JCB places big order for Duchess China and Bolton Gate Autumn Market is ba

Sep 21, 2026

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

It’s always great to hear about a new place to eat or drink in the city. The ground floor of The Signal Box, next to the Goods Yard, is set to become a neighbourhood bar, café and eatery before the end of the year, under the management of hospitality brand Sula Group. The floor above, meanwhile, will be home to an Italian restaurant.

Ahead of the launch in the first week of November, Sula’s partner/director Adam Wilde told The Knot that the venture came about after a chance meeting with Capital & Centric. “They were looking to set up something independent [inside the Signal Box] and we already run a pub in Didsbury called The Wild Alderman.”

Wilde will be putting the new food and drink offering together alongside Joe and Mikey Manning of Congleton-based Beartown Brewery. Rather than the usual Stellas and Peronis, the plan is to have a regularly changing selection of beers from breweries across Staffordshire and the Midlands on tap. In keeping with Capital & Centric’s ethos, Wilde also hopes to work with independent food businesses and is currently scouting for suppliers for everything from pastries to burger buns.

And there could be more to come. Sula is considering extending its footprint in the area, with possible plans for another food and drink venue at Capital & Centric’s Astley Place development in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

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Good News 🎉

🥐 🍺 A new hangout for Stoke. In a couple of months, there will be a new place to go for food and drink, with the Signal Box finally set to open its doors early November. Partner/director Adam Wilde says the focus will be on simple things done well. “Expect speciality coffee and pastries from 7am, a simple but awesome burger menu and a taproom powered by Beartown Brewery featuring rotating cask and keg ales from local and national independent breweries.”
Plans for the new neighbourhood bar/cafe at the Signal Box. Pic courtesy of Adam Wilde

🎓 THE KNOT’S PERSON OF THE WEEK – Dr Saeed Forghany 🎓

A Keele University researcher has been named Researcher of the Year at the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists Awards 2026 for his contribution to prosthetics and orthotics research. Dr Saeed Forghany, an NIHR-funded  Research Fellow at Keele, works within the School of Allied Health Professions and Pharmacy, focusing on using artificial intelligence and advanced biostatistics to develop predictive approaches to diabetes-related foot care. His research is investigating risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration and how routinely collected clinical and health data could be used to support more dynamic and personalised approaches to risk prediction and prevention. Well done, Saaed!

Dr Saeed Forghany, an NIHR-funded Research Fellow at Keele, has been named Researcher of the Year at the BAPO P&O Awards 2026

🍽️ JCB places big order with Duchess China. The largest ever placed in a relationship spanning more than 25 years, JCB has ordered around 1,300 cups, saucers, plates, teapots, and coffee pots for the company’s World Headquarters in Rocester as well as JCB North America and JCB Brazil. It’s the first order to take Duchess China products across multiple JCB sites globally. In addition, JCB branded mugs embossed with 22ct gold are being produced for the first time and will be sold, along with JCB cups and saucers.
👧 Stoke gets over £9m to transform social care. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has secured more than £9 million to support plans to accelerate improvements in social care. The money will help fund improvements in family group decision making, reunification services, fostering recruitment and support, and a support hub to reduce the need for external residential placements. In adult social care, the cash will support plans for community lounges and redesigning adult services around a therapy-led model.

❤️‍🩹 Supporting those at risk of suicide. People across Staffordshire are being encouraged to learn more about suicide prevention with a new community-based initiative, the Orange Button scheme. It’s being introduced to help create a network of people trained to recognise when someone may be struggling with their mental health. As part of the initiative, Staffordshire County Council is offering free online suicide awareness training to residents. Those who complete it will receive an Orange Button badge, which shows they can listen, chat, and help connect people with the relevant services. There’s more info here.

Residents, community groups and businesses are all eligible for free suicide awareness training as part of the Orange Button scheme

🎤 Our Top Five Don’t-Miss Events this Week. Here are some dates for diary in October and beyond: everything slips will feature 11 singers from a range of folk, pop, classical and dance backgrounds that explore the power of unaccompanied human voices at Fenton Town Hall’s Ballroom (17/10, 7pm); tickets £12 with with £5 concessions available for under 25s or those on a low income.
The Bolton Gate Autumn Market (03/10, 10am-3pm) will feature good, gifts, beauty products, and dog accessories from local small business and artists; admission free. On the same day, you can embrace autumn with a cosy Autumn Wreath Workshop at Middleport (03/10, 11am-1pm), where you’ll use fresh seasonal foliage, scented decorations and gorgeous ribbon to create something fab to hang on your door; tickets £45. Arrive 15 minutes before and sign in at the visitor reception desk.
Offering advice, funding, support and signposting for budding entrepreneurs living in rural areas, Rural Business Pop-up is set for Keele Hall (13/10, 10am-12.30pm); admission free, tickets here. If you fancy some spectacular fireworks this year, then book onto Alton Towers Ultimate Fireworks (06/11-08/11; 10am-3pm); tickets £39 and include a day pass to the park.

🥨 Most popular stories from the last week on The Knot

🚧 Why Packmoor and Chell residents are fighting the Local Plan: More than 800 houses could be built on council-owned farmland in the area
🏺 Stoke’s Ceramic Fair is coming: It’s on 17/10 and there’s more info here
🛒 Social supermarket opens: it will debut in Newcastle on 09/10

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