Council leaders say a former potbank could become the hub for 'industries of the future' under a new masterplan.

Cabinet members at Stoke-on-Trent City Council have given their backing to the development plan for the Spode site in Stoke, which includes proposals to bring vacant heritage buildings back into use as bases for creative technology firms.

Buildings could also be turned into art studios, a theatre and a museum, while others are set to be demolished to improve access. The council plans to spend £10 million of Levelling Up funding on the first phase of the project, which would include up to 12 building refurbishments, along with the demolitions and site infrastructure.

According to the development plan, drawn up by consultants from Mace, the aim of the first phase will be 'to bring back a cluster of buildings in close proximity to begin with to establish a hub of activity'. Council chief believe this approach, which contrasts with previous residential-focused proposals for the site, will align with previous regeneration work at Spode, as well as Stoke town's growing status as a centre for technology start-ups.

Buildings will be turned into art studios, a theatre and a museum (Nub News).

Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "I think this is a fantastic development plan, and it's an example of real collaboration with partners and residents across the city, across all of our industries. It's really exciting what's going on at Spode.

"I was really pleased a couple of weeks ago when, along with colleagues in the cabinet, we went and toured the site and saw the phenomenal, fantastic potential this site has to become something really special in the city."

Council leader Jane Ashworth: "When we came into office this was a project that was deeply in the doldrums. So I'm very pleased that we've been able to put that show back on the road,

"Some of the industries of the future are already there, and they will want to grow and bring in other industries of the future, particularly high tech computer aided design and AI. It's not just that the buildings will look nice, though they will. It's not just that we're defending a heritage site, though we are. It's also repurposing the site to lead the way in the industrial revolution that we're currently living through."

Under the plans, some buildings considered to be of 'no heritage significance' are set to be demolished (Nub News).

Under the development plan, the following buildings, considered to be 'of no heritage significance' are set to be demolished:

• Gordon House on Kingsway
• Most of Building 2C (facing Elenora Street)
• Part of building 8Q
• Building 8X
• Building 8Y
• Part of building 8M (except for the chimney)

The development plan also lists the following buildings for refurbishment as part of the first phase of the scheme, along with their potential future uses:

• Building 1G – Community charity and cultural museum space
• Building 1H – Creative/tech office space
• Building 3 – Office and studio space for ceramic businesses
• Building 4A – Open access space for events, shared workshop/equipment, film / photography studio, performance space
• Building 4B – Small office space for start-up creative/tech businesses or aparthotel space
• Building 4C – Creative/tech office space and production studios.
• Building 4L – Small office space for start-up tech businesses
• Buildings 8E – Artist/maker studio space, small incubator workshop spaces, small office space
• Building 8Q – Site reception, community hub with ancillary offices space for Spode, dining events and café
• Building 8R – Theatre and back of house functions to support theatre use

The city council, which has been liaising with existing businesses at Spode and other local stakeholders, plans to oversee the regeneration itself, rather than procuring a developer. Later phases could see management of the site transferred to an arm's length body such as a trust.

Cabinet members approved the phase one proposals 'in principle' and delegated authority to officers to implement the scheme.

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