Stoke’s £41m canalside regeneration masterplan moves closer

A £41 million canalside regeneration project which could create around 500 jobs has moved a step closer after a bid for Government funding was lodged.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is hoping to secure £16 million from the Levelling Up Fund to support the redevelopment of Swift House, next to Stoke Station.

The £16 million would fund four specific elements within the wider regeneration scheme, known as The Goods Yard, including dozens of high-quality apartments, office space, a hotel and water taxi stop.

More information on the previously announced project is included in the council’s bid document.

The four bid elements are:
– Delivery of 180 apartments within a six-storey complex, complementing the similar Clayworks scheme in Hanley – total cost £16 million (£6 million of government funding requested)
-Delivery of around 8,800sqft of commercial office space within the site’s existing historic basement, as well as a two-storey modern extension providing a further 9,200sqft, plus 10,400sqft of leisure space, such bars and restaurants – total cost £8 million (£3 million of government funding requested)
– A purpose designed short-stay three-star hotel, with a minimum of 75 rooms along with food, beverage and conference facilities – total cost £13 million (£3 million of government funding requested)
– Public realm work, landscaping and transport links, including a water taxi stop – £4 million of government funding requested.

The city council is working with Manchester-based Capital and Centric on the plans for The Goods Yard, and a planning application is due to be submitted this month.

According to the bid document, the office development on the site will create 500 jobs within 18 months of construction starting.