Street performers will liven up Hanley
MUSIC, dancing and street performers will entertain city centre shoppers after a Government funding boost.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been handed £10,000 to spend over the next year.
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Street performers will be used in a bid to liven up Hanley.
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WALKING TALL: The council wants to bring street entertainers to Hanley and stilt walkers were one of the colourful attractions entertaining the public at the Sanity Fair Street Festival.
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FIRED UP: A juggler at the Nantwich Jazz and Blues festival and, right, drummers also featured at the Sanity Fair Street Festival.
Stoke-on-Trent will match fund the cash to 'bring the city centre to life' by paying for street entertainment by musicians and local community groups.
Funding through the Town Team partner scheme will also pay for a part-time secretary to organise the performances, in Hanley.
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Councillor Mark Meredith, cabinet member for economic development, said: "This is fantastic news and we're delighted to have been chosen as a Town Team partner.
"The city centre is undergoing a physical transformation at the moment as we deliver our Mandate for Change and extra money like this can only help to attract more shoppers and boost trade for businesses.
"Having live street performers and entertainment will bring our city centre streets to life and create a real vibe for shoppers.
"We will make sure every penny is put to good use and now we would like to hear from businesses and traders to get some ideas on the kind of things they would like to see."
The city is one of 326 successful applicants to be awarded the cash. The funding bid was put forward by members of the City Centre Partnership. Chairman Doug Wardle said: "Having entertainment, such as street theatre, will give people an extra reason to visit the city centre and spend time there.
"We want entertainment which is going to appeal to all members of the community."
Michelle Sanger, aged 41, of Oakhill, owner of Dazed Retail, said: "It's a brilliant idea. We are supposed to be a cultural city and we should be doing more of that.
"It offers an element of entertainment and gives shoppers another reason to come into the centre."
However, Lynn Shemirani, aged 55, of Tittensor, who owns Quartermaster Stores, in Broad Street, welcomed the news with a more cautious approach. She said: "I think it will need more than street dancers to bring the city centre back to life.
"It is business that they need to keep, particularly the independent stores. Without the independent shops Hanley is just another high street."
A part-time member of staff will be employed to work on organising, delivering and marketing the city centre events.
More details are available from Janet Jones on 01782 234 217.
Comments
by rubythursday
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 1:36AM
“this sounds like fun....I hope I can afford the bus fare into hanley”
by Backdoored
Monday, January 14 2013, 10:17PM
“Oh Milton -you are Keane... ! How clever. Impressed I'm sure. Now I know what 'drag' is all about. Good man.”
by Milton_Keanes
Monday, January 14 2013, 4:07PM
“With a moniker like Back-Door-Ed I should imagine you would find all the cross dressing very attractive!”
by Backdoored
Sunday, January 13 2013, 9:16PM
“by Scooby
"There is enough jokers and clowns already working for the council that could provide street entertainment why bring in anymore ?" Unquote.
Yes -we could have the 'double-act' thermselves -Po-faced Pervez and Laugh-a-Lot Larschott -performing in Drag in Hanley Market Sq -that'd be worth a watch.
Pervez in black-stockings and suspenders -Larschott as the Blonde-Bomshell -with suitable 'busty' profile... and the make-up 'caked on' for good effect. Sure to pull the crowds in -and even get them in a spending mode.”
by stokepotter
Sunday, January 13 2013, 6:55PM
“So who believes that shoppers will waste a proportion of their expensive car parking charge time watching street entertainers? If they have to choose between this and spending time in the shops (which is the main reason for visiting Hanley) - and the reason for getting people to come there, then I think that I know which they will decide to do. Another poorly thought out and cloud cuckoo idea from the clowns and jokers who run the Council.”
by stokepotter
Sunday, January 13 2013, 6:46PM
“by the Tool. Since when has 'begging' (if you are being serious) been classed as a 'proper job'?”
by Scooby
Sunday, January 13 2013, 1:44PM
“There is enough jokers and clowns already working for the council that could provide street entertainment why bring in anymore ?”
by usversusthem
Sunday, January 13 2013, 3:23AM
“I totally agree with this fantastic idea however I'm concerned about the following part of the article -
"A part-time member of staff will be employed to work on organising, delivering and marketing the city centre events."
Pray tell how much of the £20,000 will be left after all of the above has been done?
And please, please, please don't tell the Health and Safety department.
stokemaveric - I totally agree with you because my experience of this council's wasteful use of money tells me that there won't be much left to lift the spirits and you can certainly count on the fact that the other 5 towns will not benefit from this fund.
Alan Lear, Lightwood.”
by Backdoored
Saturday, January 12 2013, 9:58PM
“There are indeed some miserable people about in the Potteries. Stone-faced miserati. Nothing will please them -nothing. Sad deprsessed souls -self inflicted.”
by alanjuk
Saturday, January 12 2013, 1:50PM
“Will the street performers be able to afford the councils exorbitant parking charges in Hanley?”