Stoke-on-Trent City Council is considering its options after its offer to buy Blackburn House in Hanley was rejected, as plans for the regeneration of Etruscan Square continue.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is considering its next steps after its bid to purchase the 11-storey office building was turned down by its owner.
What's new: Stoke-on-Trent City Council's offer to purchase Blackburn House has been rejected, with the authority now considering its options.
Why it matters: The council wants to acquire the Hanley building to support the regeneration of neighbouring Etruscan Square.
What's next: New plans for affordable homes at Etruscan Square are being prepared, with work expected to begin in 2027.
This article is based on reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), a BBC funded initiative set up to strengthen reporting on local democratic issues. The Staffordshire Signal has taken part in the scheme since September 2026, which means we're able to draw on a selection of LDRS stories alongside our own.
A council says it is considering its options after its bid to purchase a vacant city centre office building was rejected.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council wants to acquire the 11-storey Blackburn House in Hanley to support the regeneration of the neighbouring Etruscan Square site.
Council chiefs made an offer based on an independent valuation, but this has not been accepted by the building’s owner.
The authority has previously indicated that it would look at making the case for a compulsory purchase.
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