£2m boost for the city centre's first refurb in 25 years
PLANS to transform the city centre in its 'biggest makeover for a quarter of a century' are on course after securing more than £2 million in European funding.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council outlined plans to create new public squares and revamp the appearance of Hanley last year.
But funding for the transformation, which could cost more than £7 million, was reliant on a successful bid to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Now the ERDF, which is managed by the Government's Department for Communities and Local Government, has confirmed it will invest £2.1 million in the scheme.
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Communities Minister Baroness Hanham CBE said: "To improve the overall perception and performance of an area you have to get the foundations right.
"Stoke-on-Trent city centre is in great need of regeneration to ensure its future is prosperous.
"This has already started with key developments taking place in the city and I am delighted that we are able to offer funding support to activities which complement these developments. From new street furniture to landscaped areas the changes planned will help create an attractive, vibrant and welcoming environment.
"As well as creating something special for local people, I also hope this investment will send a clear signal to private sector investors, helping to continue the much needed and on-going regeneration of the city centre."
Residents, workers and visitors will be able to enjoy newly-landscaped public spaces and street furniture.
The improvements will focus on the areas of Tontine Street, Percy Street and Stafford Street.
Councillor Ruth Rosenau, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport, left, said: "We're delighted to mark the start of these long-awaited works. It's a very exciting project. It will give the area a contemporary city style and feel, but retain its very special character.
"The area will become much more attractive and provide a more welcoming shopping environment, with natural stone paving and granite benches, plus new lighting, signs and trees.
"It's around 25 years since work on this scale and quality was last done in the area so it's literally getting its biggest makeover in a generation."
A £1.4 million first phase to create a smart new pedestrian link between the new bus station and main shopping area is now underway.
The second phase, worth £2.4 million, will see improvements in Tontine Square, Fountain Square, Upper Market Square and Crown Bank, including trees, lighting, new pavements and benches. Further changes will follow in Albion Square. A time scale for the work has not yet been revealed.
Comments
by Anon_mow_cop
Sunday, October 14 2012, 6:36PM
“Can't see any winos or cash-for-gold shops in the artist's impressions. On a more serious note, why is it always Hanley thats needs even more money spent on it.”
by Tinkersid
Sunday, October 14 2012, 6:22PM
“Lets get down to the real basics.
Pervez knows too well that he will never lead this City Council again and is therefore determined to leave it with the biggest possible debts he can.
What a legacy for all those Labour voters to live with.
Knowing that they have bankrupt the City for generations to come.”
by Mr_Jingles
Sunday, October 14 2012, 5:54PM
“Hang on a minute am I missing something.
The article states that it will cost up to £7 million pounds to complete the project yet the City Council has only secured £2.1 Million
Where is the other £5 million coming from? This City Council supposed to be saving money and may have to make more redundancies this coming year. Surely this £5 million would be better sent securing jobs and spending money on front line services instead of paving stones and benches. Only the winos will use them anyway.
Ever likely this Council is in a mess, it gets all its spending priorities wrong, God help us if they ever spend £50 million on the new unwarranted civic offices, this City will be bankrupt for generations to come.
You just could not worth thinking about.”
by MusicHallFan
Sunday, October 14 2012, 4:29PM
“This area needs jobs, not fancy pavements. That's where the investment is needed. We don't need fancy benches, we need work benches. This "improvement" will not generate any lasting work within the area. Why can we win investment for things that achieve nothing and we NEVER win any investment in real jobs?”
by papalazaroo
Sunday, October 14 2012, 3:21PM
“Wot, no cartwheels? The news from Realis must be sinking in.”
by deluded366
Sunday, October 14 2012, 2:47PM
“Yup, we all agree that Stoke On Trent needs regeneration, so why is it that the council are blocking plans for the Potteries Shopping Centre to build an extention? They granted planning permission but are refusing to sell the land needed to the developers.
Then we have the new City Sentral, which is great, except it's being built by a company on the brink of bankruptsy.
Surely the council should be backing the existing shopping centre and allowing them to complete their plans rather than throwing money at a dead horse that hasn't even got off the ground yet...”
by Justsuppose
Saturday, October 13 2012, 11:28PM
“"As well as creating something special for local people....."
What local people? You've knocked all the houses down!
Why is it only Hanley gets the money? Yet again!”
by Tinkersid
Saturday, October 13 2012, 9:44PM
“And when do the low flying pigs arrive????”
by Tinkersid
Saturday, October 13 2012, 9:43PM
“And when do the low flying pigs arrive?”