Historic potter Spode called in administrators yesterday after coming up against slowing spending and problems selling part of its Church Street site. Reporters Graeme Brown and Louise Psyllides spoke to politicians about the implications

COMMUNITY leaders say the development of Spode's site is key to the future of its home town and fear the slip into administration presents another setback.

The Church Street plant in Stoke seemed set for transformation when plans for a retail centre were unveiled in 2006.

But no work has taken place on the redevelopment of the 10-acre site, and political leaders fear the company's woes could prove an obstacle to progress.

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They have urged administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers to consider the importance of the plot to nearby residents, and Spode's place in the heritage of Stoke-on-Trent after 241 years in the city.

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Mark Fisher said it is crucial the land is not merely viewed as an asset.

He explained: "If it is sold to the highest bidder, which is likely to be a supermarket, then that would be very bad news for the future of Stoke. In fact it would end the future of Stoke. There would be no life left in the town whatsoever. We have got to find a way forward for the site that recognises its true value to the community and the city as a whole.

Mr Fisher added: "Being so close to Staffordshire University, I believe that the future for that suite is a mix of retail and leisure, and it has to appeal to younger people. Stoke could also do with a hotel as well."

Developer Stoke Vision unveiled plans for shops, housing, community facilities and a hotel on the site in October 2006.

However, the deal is subject to planning permission being granted and it has been unable to agree a scheme with Stoke-on-Trent City Council planners.

Stoke Vision spokesman Jody White said: "We still have control of the site but the council currently opposes our plans and therefore there is a stalemate."

Councillor Hazel Lyth, the city council's portfolio holder for enterprise, confirmed that the authority and the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership had been in talks with Stoke Vision about a potential retail development. She said: "We were clear that any proposals had to complement existing shopping in Stoke town centre.

"They had to respect the site's historic importance and they had to not compete with planned retail development in the city centre. Those discussions had not concluded and we had not received any planning application."

Stoke and Trent Vale councillor Paul Billington welcomed intervention from the public sector to buy the site.

He said: "There are millions of pounds of regeneration money available for this site.

"It has got monetary value and development potential and historic links to Spode."

Fellow ward councillor Pauline Joynson said: "The trouble is the site relies on being redeveloped. But it hasn't gone forward, it has gone bump."