Plans for a new Stoke-on-Trent Growth Company
It's part of a scheme to drive investment
Community and industry leaders have heard about proposals at the latest City Forum, at The Catalyst building at Staffordshire University.
The Stoke-on-Trent Growth Company will focus on five key themes: Invest, Support, Employ, Visit, Create - with the aim of bringing together some council functions to drive economic development.
Councillor Abi Brown, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “The Stoke-on-Trent Growth Company will enable us to take a more joined-up, city-focussed approach to inward investment, business support, employment and skills and culture and tourism.
“We will continue to work closely with other authorities on our shared priorities but we believe that now is the time for us to look after our own interests to enable us to keep on delivering what is best for our great city.
“Our ambition is clear and I am very much looking forward to working with our local partners and stakeholders on this new and exciting chapter in the Stoke-on-Trent story.”
The city has recently seen work progress on The Goods Yard and Spode site in Stoke and Etruscan Square in the city centre as well as the Tunstall Library building and the Crown Works in Longton.
During the event, the city’s efforts to deliver its Levelling Up ambitions were praised by Dehenna Davison, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up.
Ms Davison said: “There’s nowhere that epitomises true Levelling Up in action than Stoke-on-Trent - and what an incredible journey this city is on. I am really excited that we are playing our small in helping the city council to deliver it.”