Creative Central

18.05.10

(Design)

Six design teams have been short-listed to plan the future redevelopment of one of the historic towns of Stoke-on-Trent.

The North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership (NSRP) has received 24 submissions from companies bidding to create a masterplan for Stoke Town.

Six teams have now been chosen and will go on to tender to create a masterplan for the historic town centre.

The six short-listed teams are:

• Atkins (lead architects Studio Egret West)
• BDP (Lead architects BDP)
• Foster & Partners (Sir Norman Fosters practice)
• Macreanor Lavington (lead architects Macreanor Lavington)
• Savills (lead architect CZWG – Piers Gough)
• Urbed (lead architects URBED and Jan Gehls)

Each team will now be asked to submit a formal tender for the commission including outline proposals for the Spode Works site and how it can connect with and revitalise the town centre. Proposals will be made available for public comment during the tender process.

The final selection will be made in July by a panel of experts lead by the NSRP and advised by our Commission for the Built Environment (CABE) advisor, John Pringle of Pringle Richards Sharratt Limited.

Councillor Brian Ward, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We developed an inspirational brief for this commission as it represents a fantastic opportunity to lead the regeneration of Stoke Town. We have had a remarkable response from leading international architects and masterplanners. We are delighted that the teams have recognised the opportunity to play a key role in tackling the challenges of the town and exploit its unique character, remarkable qualities and connections. ”

The masterplan will guide investment in to the town over the coming 10 to 15 years. It will also show how the historic town centre pottery site, Spode Works, can be redeveloped to play a significant role in the regeneration of Stoke Town.

Spode Works, in Elenora Street, Stoke, lays claim to the longest continuous period of pottery production. Spode became an iconic brand across the world and continues to be made in Stoke Town through Portmeirion who acquired the brand. Built from 1759 the 10 acre site consists of stunning buildings of international heritage significance and offers a unique opportunity to develop a mixed-use scheme which will lead to the regeneration of the town.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council, part of the NSRP which is leading the £1.5 billion regeneration programme across North Staffordshire, has in principle agreed the basis of a purchase of the Spode Works site. Through careful design, the site could be connected to the Kingsway car park site, which is next to the Civic Centre, bringing the site further into the town centre.

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