VIDEO: Stoke-on-Trent City Council says future of civic centre is bright, despite Hanley HQ move
COUNCIL leaders have promised to protect the future of a town centre despite pressing ahead with a controversial plan to move their headquarters to the city centre.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is still struggling to win support for its plan to move staff from the civic centre in Stoke to a £40 million Central Business District in Hanley.
-
DEVELOPMENTS: From left, Planit landscape artist Simon Tugby, GVA principal planner James Sheppard and RHWL Architects principal director Michael Clark. Picture: Phil Radcliffe
Hundreds of campaigners marched across the city last weekend to protest over what they say will be a 'white elephant', which will only serve to decimate trade in Stoke.
But in a consultation event on Saturday, senior councillors revealed discussions are continuing with businesses interested in taking on the authortity's current headquarters, once the authority moves to the city centre.
Visiting the Home & Garden show this Sunday?
We will have some exclusive deals for you so make sure you visit our stand and say hello
Terms: With free entry just visit the show at the Moat House hotel Festival Park between 11am and 4pm and pick up a leaflet
Contact: 01782 342609
Valid until: Sunday, June 23 2013
And the politicians promised that the town they are leaving behind has continued to receive the same level of attention as the city centre, with discussions ongoing with developers to help refresh Stoke's identity.
Saturday's event saw designs for the CBD's second building put on display, with residents given the opportunity to have their say on the aesthetics of the structure.
Council leader Mohammed Pervez said: "There is no doubt in my mind that the our city centre needs the Central Business District.
"We are lacking high quality office space which is affecting our ability to create jobs in the commerce and office sectors.
"People are questioning it and some are saying that we cannot do it and nobody will come – and there is that risk – but we are working behind the scenes to ensure there is a proper marketing strategy in place to ensure that potential investors out there are aware of starting up a business here in Stoke-on-Trent."
Mr Pervez also hopes the development will help forge a link back to Stoke where traders and residents have continued to vent their anger over the move.
Councillor Ruth Rosenau, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport, has confirmed the authority will only sell the land it is leaving behind to the right developer.
Staffordshire University is among organisations who have registered an interest in the land.
Mrs Rosenau said: "We cannot name any names but we have people interested. Some, we didn't think would be interested so we are talking to them. But whoever buys the land will have to be right and want to do the right thing for Stoke.
"Things are already happening in the town with housing projects and student accommodation."
The CBD's proposed second building – which will look out onto Broad Street – will boast 8,000 square metres of office space along with provision for retail and a cafe.
The structure – which the council say will be completed in 2014 and 2015 – will be surrounded by a wildflower meadow.
However residents have continued to criticise the scheme.
Glyn Wade, aged 46, of Hanley, said: "It is a complete waste of money and a dreadful idea."
Wife Claire, aged 41, a graphic designer, added: "I don't see why the council thinks other businesses will follow because it is moving there."
James Sheppard, of GVA, who are acting as planning consultants for Genr8, said: "People have been positive over the design but we have had some opposition with regards the politics of the move."
24 Comments
View all
by Robnoxious
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 11:23PM
“One word that sums this lot up. StRUTHious. Buried heads in the sand, and up their?”
by Backdoored
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:37PM
“by Justsuppose: -"..They've been arrogant far too long, and they need to be reminded who the real power rests with." -Unquote.
I will rephrase that...... Pervez has been arrogant for far too long... the others are simply toady 'yes-men'.... following their leaders' every move.
Not the Stoke-on-Trent City Council..... but, I hear, they're going to spend yet another fortune of a complete batch of new stationery.... Because, after recent heavy pressure from their 'leader' -the 'toady cabinet' have finally come to realise that he (their leader) is right.... And so the new Council Letter Headings will in future read:-
"THE PERVEZ CITY COUNCIL". And there's even talk that more money is to be spent on altering all the traffic signs to ... "PERVEZ SITY CENTRE" ...”
by Justsuppose
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 1:55PM
“From I_Norris
Cllr Pervez NO ONE is questioning a CBD if private investors want to come and invest awesome, fill it up with new jobs. But what we do question is £55m loan for a new Civic Centre. "do you understand, I know its difficult""
Absolutely agree with this point.
The council has made the two very separate issues a single issue, and in so doing uses that BLATANT LIE to accuse those of us opposing the move of the civic centre of being "negative".
It's time to step up the pressure and make sure EVERYTHING they do is under huge scrutiny, all the time. They've been arrogant far too long, and they need to be reminded who the real power rests with.”
by Backdoored
Monday, March 04 2013, 8:47PM
“by Robnoxious
"THE RUTH, THE WHOLE RUTH,
AND
NOTHING BUT THE RUTH. (so help my wad)
SO HELP ME GOD.
I didn't realsise until quite recently just what a 'nice little earner' it is -to be a Councillor.
They're all part-time for a start... LET'S MAKE SURE WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT PART.
PERVEZ IS 'TOP DOG' ON TOP WHACK -coming in at £44,000. (£800 quid a week; part-time)
His 'Deputy' gets £28,000 (£560 quid a week; ..part-time)
Then come the 'Cabinet Posts'... £19,000 (just short of £400 quid a week; ..part-time)
And 'last, but not least,' come the 'also theres' -The 'ordinary' Councillors ..£11,000 (£220 quid a week; ..part-time).
In these severe austere times -and don't let's beat about the bush here... TIMES ARE HARD AND GETTING HARDER... the money (expenses) for these 'part-time jobs' -is not to be sneezed at. Any job, part-time or full-time is something many out there dream of... and a part-time job that pays £44,000 (£800 quid a week) IS TO ME -MASSIVE MONEY -but when you consider the man on this money, the City Council Leader, also holds down a full-time job -with a University Degree to back up his qualification -WHAT DO YOU RECKON HE'S PULLING IN OVERALL?
Mind-boggling Labour snouts in the trough -AND THAT'S BEFORE YOU GET AROUND TO SEEING WHAT A CLUELESS BUNCH THEY ARE.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/d75qkam
Follow us: @thisisstaffs on Twitter | thisisstaffordshire on Facebook”
by I_Norris
Monday, March 04 2013, 6:05PM
“webmonkey: I have posted some pics here https://iannorris68.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/genr8-consultation/ an also at the bottom copy of the questionaire to print off and send in.
Lilstokie: sadly the Parking on Potteries way is no rumour, the man from GVA when questioned on parking said Cannon Place, when I indicated on his plans that thet actually proposed to build on there he then suggested Warner st and that they were also considering or had considered Potteries Way.
Cllr Pervez NO ONE is questioning a CBD if private investors want to come and invest awesome, fill it up with new jobs. But what we do question is £55m loan for a new Civic Centre. "do you understand, I know its difficult"”
by mole10
Monday, March 04 2013, 4:39PM
“It is rare that someone writes something I wish I had written, but robnoxious made me laugh.
We shouldn't laugh though.
These people mean it.
Any truth in the rumour of Stafford Uni shutting (moving to Stoke?)???”
by danielsryd
Monday, March 04 2013, 4:34PM
“If you look at Pervez's comments ,these are the ones that worry me most -
"We are lacking high quality office space which is affecting our ability to create jobs in the commerce and office sectors.
"People are questioning it and some are saying that we cannot do it and nobody will come – and there is that risk – These last 5 words are quite worrying " AND THERE IS THAT RISK " so basically they are GAMBLING with millions of our money while cutting everything EXCEPT their own wages/ expenses. TIME TO GO !!!”
by Robnoxious
Monday, March 04 2013, 4:27PM
“THE RUTH, THE WHOLE RUTH,
AND
NOTHING BUT THE RUTH.
SO HELP ME GOD.
MORE LIKE- GOD HELP US”
by lilstokie
Monday, March 04 2013, 3:50PM
“I have also heard the ridiculous rumors of on street parking on the potteries way. What a way to attract all these new businesses when there is no where to really park. I also find Pervez's nice speech regarding the shortlisting of Stoke-on-Trent to get one of the governments city deals funding interesting.
Councilor Mohammed Pervez, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council said:
"This city deal will help to secure the future of Stoke-on-Trent in terms of jobs and growth. Our city has a strong heritage in manufacturing and while this has lost focus in recent times there is no reason why we cannot be at the forefront of advanced manufacturing once again. Stoke-on-Trent has a huge potential to grow, it enjoys a fantastic location and our ambition is to create a great working city. Our Central Business District and City Sentral shopping and leisure complex are testament to our ambition to transform our city. I want the very best for our people and our future generations. What we sow today we will reap in the future in terms of jobs and a city we can all be proud of."
How he has the nerve to speak of heritage as he sells off all our heritage I do not know. And which is it that we actually need then 'high quality office space' or 'manufacturing' because I cant see many manufacturing businesses wanting to run their machines and workshops in offices. Yes indeed Mr. Pervez what you sow today you will indeed reap in the future!”
by pj123
Monday, March 04 2013, 3:41PM
“Lies lies and more lies from the grubby gang.”