Exciting plans to amplify city’s potential to become live music and events destination 

The city council is set to include the vision in its new City Centre Plan, which will bring about a long-term transformation of Hanley over the next 10 to 15 years. It would also replace the previous plan for an arena, based at the Etruscan Square regeneration site, which was declared undeliverable.

Meanwhile, the council will also look at how some of the city’s existing buildings can become events spaces, such as the historic China Halls at the Spode site, in Stoke, as well as further utilising the city’s parks and green spaces.

It would also look to bring operators of existing venues together in a new working group, with a mission to make it easier and faster to put on live events.

The plan would also ensure extra measures are put in place to protect and enhance established venues and improve opportunities at key locations – such as the King’s Hall.

The proposals, which come as the city gets set to celebrate its centenary with a series of events, will be considered by the council’s cabinet on January 14.

They come in the wake of two reviews that were commissioned to identify challenges and opportunities for the cultural economy. Together they looked at what venues already exist and how well they satisfy existing and potential future demand.

One review was carried out by local music promoter and concert organiser Mike Lloyd OBE and the second by marketing and events consultant Kerry Endsor – the latter as part of the £373,000 City of Imagination programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The reviews noted Stoke-on-Trent had unique advantages which made it perfectly poised to benefit from a renewed interest in big gigs and events – including a “rich tapestry of cultural venues” for events with an audience of more than 200 people.

Both studies also identified a gap for a mid-size venue, similar to Manchester Academy, which could have a capacity of up to 3,000.

The Endsor review recommended using existing heritage buildings to fulfil requirements and the Lloyd review recommended a flexible hall with seating of up to 1,000.

The Endsor review also looked at events as well as venues, noting that while Stoke-on-Trent already had a “wide and diverse” programme, the city had the potential to go even further.

A series of live music events are being staged throughout 2025 to celebrate the city’s centenary. They include several to be held at the King’s Hall, such as The Rise of the Fab Four! on January 25; Stoke-on-Trent! 60 Years of Northern Soul, Motown and Philly on April 5 and the Stoke-on-Trent Centenary Celebration Concert on June 28.

For details of the full line-up of events visit: www.sot100.org.uk/events.