Stoke-on-Trent could get a new ‘mid-sized’ entertainment venue – after two reviews identified a gap in the city’s existing provision. The disused Spode China Hall in Stoke could be turned into a Manchester Academy-style venue in one potential scenario.
And council leaders will also look to include scope for a purpose-built venue in their forthcoming city centre plan – having previously scrapped proposals for an indoor arena in the Etruscan Square development. Stoke-on-Trent City Council commissioned reviews by local music promoter Mike Lloyd and events consultant Kerry Endsor, who looked at the existing provision and how it could be improved.
They both found that while the city had a range of smaller venues, such as the Sugarmill and the Mitchell Arts Centre, it lacked larger facilities. Mr Lloyd, who has been involved in the Staffordshire music scene for 60 years, believes Stoke-on-Trent is therefore losing out to cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham.
How Etruscan Square could have looked before the arena plan was scrapped
His report states: “As a major city we need to play ‘catch up’ to compete and more importantly to stimulate visitor numbers to boost both the daytime and night time economy. Far too many people can be seen on Saturday mornings taking the train to Manchester for the day. We need to keep our residents, spending money and enjoying themselves here in the city. Basically, we need to ‘up our game’ and provide a much improved offer.”
Mr Lloyd believes Stoke-on-Trent has a ‘huge gap’ in the provision of venues between 400 and 1,200 capacity. He thinks such a venue could be provided in Hanley, potentially as part of a wider complex including a new leisure centre
But he also suggests investigating the potential for converting an existing building into an academy-style venue, for hosting rock and pop acts.
In her review, Ms Endsor identifies Spode China Hall as the ‘ideal’ building for this, due to its size, location and transport links. The China Hall previously hosted events such as the British Ceramics Biennial but it had to be closed due to safety concerns.
Cabinet members will consider the findings of the review at their meeting on Tuesday. The report to cabinet calls for the council to recognise the need for an ‘additional mid-sized flexible venue’ and the potential for addressing this through the city centre plan, and the use of an existing heritage building.
The cabinet will also be asked to back proposals to provide support to existing venues, such as through the contribution of officer time, and to create a new working group of venue operators.
Council leader Jane Ashworth said: “This is an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver on a new vision to significantly enhance the entertainment and cultural offer in our city.
“Whether this is the enhancement of existing and historic venues, the construction of a new venue – or a mix of both – it has the potential to unleash Stoke-on-Trent’s potential to be a major music and events destination, attracting musicians, events and audiences from further afield while tapping into our rich and diverse cultural offer.
“Of course, we cannot do this alone – which is why we will be looking to set up a working group involving venue operators from across Stoke-on-Trent, so they can play a vital role in driving this forward.”
But Conservative opposition leader Dan Jellyman believes that the previous plan for an indoor arena in Hanley would have addressed the gap in provision. The arena was granted outline planning permission as part of the wider Etruscan Square development, but was scrapped by the Labour administration following the local elections in 2023.
Mr Jellyman said: “Two years ago Labour made a big song and dance about scrapping the plans for the arena, saying that it would never be used and there was no need for it. They’ve now commissioned two reports that have told them that there is a gap for a venue like that. The statement from Jane Ashworth is basically exactly what I was saying two years ago.”