Demolition of former Iceland store under way as Etruscan Square regeneration moves forward

Demolition of the former Iceland store in Hanley is now under way, clearing the site for the multi-million-pound Etruscan Square regeneration scheme.

Demolition work has started on the former Iceland store in Hanley.

The work to safely pull down the vacant Charles Street building and to carry out site preparation and levelling work started on Monday 24 August and will take around six weeks to complete. It will pave the way for the first phase of the multi-million-pound Etruscan Square brownfield regeneration scheme to progress.

The work will require temporary footpath and partial road closures on Charles Street. Local residents and businesses have been informed, and every step will be taken throughout the works to minimise any disruption to adjacent homes and businesses, and to ensure safety in the area is maintained at all times.

The council is working with partners PfP Igloo and Genr8 to deliver the Etruscan Square development with a phase 1 scheme of new, affordable homes.

The demolition is required to enable work to take place on this initial phase, which will be centred around the Iceland store and Charles Street Car Park area.

The work is also being undertaken now to offset potential security, ASB and vandalism concerns, and reduce ongoing maintenance costs to the council, connected to the vacant building.

Etruscan Square is a major brownfield site project, which is backed by £20 million of Government Levelling Up funding and will help to regenerate Hanley as a place to live, work, shop and visit.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for growth, regeneration and transport, said:

“The start of demolition work at the former Iceland store marks another important milestone in bringing the long-awaited Etruscan Square brownfield regeneration project forward. These works will not only ensure we have no potential issues associated with an empty building but also prepare the ground for the first phase of development.

“Etruscan Square is one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in Stoke-on-Trent, and it will help transform Hanley by delivering much-needed new homes, including affordable housing, while helping create a more attractive and vibrant city centre.

"We appreciate that there will be some temporary disruption during the demolition works, and we would like to thank residents, businesses and visitors for their patience as we take this important step towards delivering the future vision for the site.”