Concerns have been raised over £4.5 million of public realm works following fears 'it could kill trade' in the town.

Last year, residents were asked for feedback on proposed plans for improvements to Tunstall.

The plans include new paving and an event space on Tower Square, improvement to shopfronts, a pedestrian and events area at Butterfield Place and safety measures at the memorial gardens.

However, this will mean a reduction in car parking both outside the market and on Tower Square.

On Tower Square, parking will be cut from 27 to just 14 with two disabled spaces and parking outside the market at Butterfield Place will be cut from six to four and the spaces will be located further away. Fears that this would result in a reduction in footfall have been raised.

Tunstall councillor Tabrase Din warned about the impact the changes could have on market traders and Tunstall-based businesses. In particular, he was concerned about the removal of disabled parking outside the market.

He said: "There is never a time when there's a space in the disabled bays. So getting rid of that is going to be the final nail in the coffin of the market.

"The traders are struggling with the cost of living and are just making ends meet with people coming to the market but by doing this, it's going to completely finish them off.

"We are against this and we are not happy that what we were promised and what we have been given are two different things. There is a real risk these changes could make things worse for residents and businesses."

The pavements are set to be widened outside the library to make the area more pedestrian friendly. It is also proposed to reduce the speed limit and introduce a red route along High Street to prevent cars stopping along the road.

Market traders, with a combined experience of more than 95 years, Trefor Parry and Dave Bryan, warned about the impact the proposals would have on footfall to the market. They want the council to rethink the plans.

Trefor Parry runs the Market Grill cafe and worked on market stalls for 35 years, commented: "I have heard that the entrance to the square is going to be blocked off. The first time the council decided to pedestrianise everything, they blocked off the whole bottom, which ruined businesses.

"They are making plans for things that will not affect them, it won't make a scrap of difference to their lives but it'll make a hell of a lot of difference to ours."

Grocery and cooked meats trader Dave Bryan, who has had market stalls for 62 years, warned of the impact of introducing red routes.

He warned: "The lad at the butchers who works with me, he used to have two shops in Stoke and Fenton. He and his brother sold up, he left and they put red lines down and every one of the shops closed.

"You can go to Fenton or Longton where they've red routed and they've killed it off. The shops are still there but they are empty. If they do go ahead with it, are they going to provide all traders in the town, if footfall goes down, with compensation?"

Under the plans, vehicles will no longer be able to enter Tower Square from High Street and will instead enter from Forster Street. The new parking is set to be located at the back of the square.

It is hoped that this will allow the square to be used for outdoor seating for cafés and will create a space for markets and events at the front of the square.

Shoppers Peter and Christine Nash from Packmoor were not happy with the proposals.

Peter said: "It's just a waste of money. What is the idea behind this, because it seems stupid to me. It's going to kill the trade and people are hanging on by a thread."

Christine added: "It's ideal for parking here because disabled people haven't got far to go. Are they going to stop taxis dropping people off? I think, personally, the square is alright, it works."

A new lawn space in front of the clock tower is also on the agenda. It is hoped that all the measures will help connect the town centre to Jasper Square and Alexandra Retail Park and encourage people to spend more time in the town centre.

Bill Lewis, owner of Doggie Doolittles on Tower Square, said: "With the bank closing and the cashpoint going, footfall is already down, takings are down by something like 30 per cent. If that gets pedestrianised then that will be the end of the town centre.

"If there's no through route where people can park, what's the draw? Footfall is down as it is, you pedestrianise it, people are not going to walk 50 metres to come here to carry 20 kilo bags, when they can park up outside now."

Work on the proposals should start later this year as the deadline for spending the levelling-up funding is March 2028, so if the money is not spent by then it will be returned to the government.

A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesperson said: "The proposed improvements to Tower Square and Butterfield Place are designed to create a more accessible, balanced and welcoming town centre for residents, visitors and local businesses.

"Currently, Tower Square provides 26 standard car parking spaces. Under the proposed plans, this would change to 12 standard spaces, with disabled provision increasing from 1 to 2 bays, leaving a total of 14 parking spaces on site. This forms part of a wider approach to parking in the immediate area.

"In addition to the spaces at Tower Square and Butterfield Place, there are more spaces on the nearby Wesley Street car park, including two disabled bays and 26 standard car parking spaces, these are underused and will continue to provide convenient parking for those visiting Tower Square and the High Street.

"Accessibility remains a key priority throughout the design process. Existing disabled parking near the market is being improved, not removed. There are currently six disabled bays to the left of the market entrance.

"Under the proposals, four would be relocated to the right of the entrance at Butterfield Place, alongside the creation of six more disabled spaces on Butterfield Place car park – the nearest car park to the market entrance.

"This increases accessible parking from eight spaces to ten, with bays better positioned to serve key destinations.

"There are no plans within this scheme to introduce red routes, which if proposed, would attract a statutory consultation.

"The council has worked closely with the community and local businesses in developing the plans. Consultation took place over the summer with market stallholders, visitors, business owners and local schools, and an online survey to ensure broad participation.

"Feedback from the consultation directly informed design revisions, with 70 per cent of respondents supporting the initial proposals. Constructive suggestions were also incorporated into the plans presented at the public meeting on 18 March 2026.

"The scheme aims to create a more attractive, accessible and vibrant town centre that encourages footfall, supports local trade and enhances the overall experience in Tunstall town centre."