Newcastle's Transformation Gathers Pace
Plus local cricketer makes world cup team, Hanley's new diagnostics centre welcomes first patients, and Stoke is discussed and celebrated in parliament ahead of Staffordshire Day
Today, The Knot is brought to you by Hanley Economic Building Society, which offers mortgages, savings accounts including ISAs, insurance, and more
Good News 🎉
🏡 Zanzibar’s Transformation Underway. Fancy living in a former nightclub? Capital & Centric has partnered with Aspire Housing, to reimagine former Newcastle nightspot Zanzibar, with contractors moved in to start enabling works this month. Sitting at the gateway to the town centre on the junction of Marsh Parade and Hassell Street, the site will become a new neighbourhood, with 62 affordable homes, public spaces, improved pedestrian access and parking, and and a layout designed to feel closely connected to the surrounding town. There will even be an enterprise centre to support local startups. So, when is it ready? Completion is expected in autumn 2027. Drop them a line for more info.
🏏 THE KNOT’S PERSON OF THE WEEK – Danielle Wyatt-Hodge🏏
A key figure in international cricket with nearly 300 caps, Stoke-on-Trent’s Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, one of the faces featured on the 100 Years, 100 Faces mural, has been named in the squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Danni, who currently plays for Surrey, Southern Brave and Gujarat Giants, played for Meir Heath Women and Staffordshire Ladies along with men’s club Whitmore before making her England debut in 2010. England open their campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on 12/06 at 6.30pm. There are still tickets available from around £20 if you want to cheer her on. You can watch this match and the final match of the World Cup for free on Sky Mix.
💷 Bank on a Local Building Society. For 172 years, Hanley Economic Building Society has been part of the fabric of our local community. Founded in 1854, it was established to help local people save securely and become homeowners, and that purpose remains the same. Its heritage is built on trust, mutuality, and a deep commitment to supporting the people of Staffordshire. From its early days serving local workers and families to the modern society it is today, the Hanley has remained independent and firmly rooted in the community, and many have been members for decades. Want to open an account? You can do it online.
👷♀️ Celebrating Stoke in Parliament. Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire’s businesses, culture, and talent were showcased in Parliament last week, as MPs Leigh Ingham, Gareth Snell, Dave Robertson, and Karen Bradley co-hosted a House of Commons event to mark the 10th anniversary of Staffordshire Day. The exhibitors included everyone from global manufacturers GE Vernova and JCB to independent food and drink producers. Three roundtables took place in Parliament, exploring the opportunities shaping the region. Leigh Ingham led a discussion on the role of culture in Staffordshire’s identity and economy, Gareth Snell chaired a session on skills and learning for business, and Josh Newbury led a session on an Interview Promise for care-experienced young people.
🏥 Stoke’s New Diagnostic Centre Welcomes First Patients. The centre is providing patients with quicker access to services including X-rays and ultrasound, and helping ease pressure on local hospitals. Neil Edwards from Blurton was the centre’s first patient and went for a lung scan. He said, “the building is fantastic, very easy to get to, and the parking is brilliant.” In addition to X‑rays and ultrasound, the centre provides blood tests plus cardiology, respiratory, and sleep testing, and is open seven days a week, 12 hours a day.
🤘 New Lemmy-Themed Venue for Burslem. Created by IFK Legacy CIC to welcome visitors from around the world who come to see the Lemmy statue, explore Burslem, and discover Stoke, Old No. 6 on Market Place serves official Motörhead beers and ‘Lemmy lemonade’. There’s also a mini museum featuring band memorabilia and artwork. The venue will help raise funds for the Lemmy Project, including plans to transform the Grade II listed Queen’s Theatre into Kilmister Halls, a music venue honouring the Motörhead frontman.
Grab yourself an official Motörhead beer or a Lemmy Lemonade at Old No 6. in Burslem, which also features band memorabilia and artwork
🥨 A word from Helen, editor/writer at The Knot
Aiming to transform forgotten corners into thriving communities where people want to live, socialise, and put down roots, social impact developer Capital&Centric is fast becoming a major presence in Newcastle. With Rye Park (a new neighbourhood in Ryecroft), Karparc (the former Midway Car Park), and Astley Place (the former York Place shopping centre) all progressing alongside the Zanzibar development, their impact on the town will soon be hard to miss.
Positioned at the gateway to the town centre, at the junction of Marsh Parade and Hassell Street, the former nightclub site is set for a transformation that goes beyond housing. Plans include an enterprise centre to support local startups, as well as green spaces designed for both residents and the wider community to enjoy.
Meanwhile, Astley Place recently reached a major milestone, officially topping out just a couple of weeks ago. The scheme marks the first time a former shopping centre has been converted into homes anywhere in the UK, and it’s set to deliver 42 one- and two-bedroom apartments, a music venue, and more than 11,000 square feet of space for independent shops, bars, and cafes.
Which of Capital&Centric’s developments are you most excited about – and which would you most like to call home? Let us know in the comments below.
Really Good News 🎉 Your favourite news from the last week
🛋️ New Initiative to Tackle Furniture Poverty: Leave your unwanted pieces at Hanford’s Household Waste and Recycling Centre and they’ll be donated to charity…
⛴️ Take to the Canals with Middleport: the canal festival is on 25/05, more info here
🏧 Supporting Savers in Stoke: Knotters were keen to find out about the Hanley’s Dual Saver account… there’s more info here
Weekly Weather (Stoke-on-Trent):
Mon ☁️ 15° (6°) Tue 🌧️ 12° (5°) Wed 🌧️ 11° (5°) Thu ⛅️ 13° (5°) Fri 🌧️ 14° (6°)
Sat 🌩️ 15° (7°) Sun 🌩️ 15° (7°).
Sunrise 04/05: 05.31 ☀️ Sunset 04/05: 20.41 🌅
I am most interested in the Astley Place development and the redevelopment of the Midway car park. Housing in town centres makes absolute sense, having all the amenities to hand and being adjacent to good transport infrastructure. Repurposing of an existing concrete structure is such a clever idea. I wish they would change the name Karparc though. Really?
The development on the site of the old night club I am less keen on. I really don't like the design, and do not think it adds to the area. The nightclub was an eyesore but that doesn't mean that you can replace it with another one. It's so dark and gloomy in my opinion. Build accommodation on the site ( although I understand the concerns voiced by The Rigger), but the design should have been rejected.