Council set to appoint Capital & Centric to develop part of Spode site

The ambitious redevelopment of a former Stoke-on-Trent pottery works looks set to take a huge leap forward.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Cabinet is being asked to appoint Capital & Centric – the group behind the landmark renovation of Goods Yard – as development partner for the site, marking a huge milestone in its regeneration.

The move would see the company allocated up to £6.5 million of Levelling Up money to deliver the work as part of the wider masterplan for the site.

Proposals, which will be subject to planning and other permissions, include preparation of the site, landscaping, demolition of some buildings with no heritage value as well as the development of new high-quality residential buildings to create a thriving neighbourhood across the historic site that is full integrated with Stoke town centre.

The deal would also allow Capital & Centric to bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding which would enable it to bring the China Halls back into operational use.

The proposed partnership does not include the whole site which will continue to host a diverse range of tenants such as Dog & Bone Ltd, ACAVA, BCB and Claybody Theatre.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, regeneration and infrastructure at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “What makes Spode special isn’t just the heritage, it’s the people and organisations that bring it to life.

“It’s a melting pot of what makes our city so great: creativity, community, and a belief in what Stoke-on-Trent can be.

“This project will protect that spirit while unlocking new opportunities - good jobs, economic growth, and more investment.

“We’re proud to work with Capital & Centric again. Their track record at Goods Yard shows they can deliver, and together we’ll make sure Spode continues to be a success story, not just for the creative industry in the city, but for heritage regeneration too.”

The Spode site was acquired by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in 2010, two years after the factory closed and went into administration.

In 2022, the council secured £10 million of Levelling Up Funding to invest in the site and bring it back into use.

Since August 2024, work has progressed on the delivery of a new masterplan for Spode. Asbestos removal work has been carried out across many of the heritage buildings, lease terms are being agreed for building 4, and the planned refurbishments of units 1F and 1G are ongoing to provide more space for the on-site Spode Museum.

The final decision on a development partner for the site will be made at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 27 May.