New plans to demolish a derelict row of shops in Stoke-on-Trent have been approved.

Developer HJ Collection has secured prior approval to bulldoze the empty units in Parliament Row, which were previously set to be demolished over a decade ago.

According to the application submitted to Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the site will be cleared 'in preparation for future redevelopment', although it is not yet known what this will entail.

Realis Estates gained planning permission in 2015 to replace the existing buildings with a £6 million retail development, but the plans were never carried out.

Proposals were later approved to convert the upper floors of the units into 25 flats.

But according to the latest application, the existing structures are in a 'deteriorating condition' and therefore 'no longer suitable for occupation or conversion'.

The shops in Parliament Row, which have been vacant for years, had to be fenced off in 2024 after debris started falling from the buildings. Neighbouring Abakhan Fabrics, in Old Hall Street, which is still trading, is also included in the demolition plans.

But the demolition of two former pubs in Parliament Row – Burton Stores and Franky's Bar – will need to be subject to a separate application, due to a 2017 change in planning rules affecting drinking establishments.

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The demolition work is expected to take around 12 weeks.

When the plans were drawn up in November it was anticipated that the work would be carried out in the first quarter of 2026.

HJ Collection has been behind a number of residential schemes in towns and cities across the country, including the recent conversion of office space in Gaolgate Street, Stafford into 12 flats.