CAPITAL&CENTRIC, the team behind Stoke-on-Trent’s Goods Yard neighbourhood, have unveiled fresh new images of the lush green spaces that will be open to the public.
Visitors will be greeted by a new lawn – about the size of a professional tennis court – as they arrive at the neighbourhood from Glebe Street.
A walkway through lush plants and shrubs will lead to the interior gardens, with hangout spaces and seating. Over 70 trees will feature across the site, of which 63 are newly planted, combined with stacks of new plants and shrubbery spilling out across the neighbourhood. Together, it will deliver a 1000% increase in biodiversity net gain, creating new wildlife habitats in a once industrial corner of the city.
Capital&Centric are working with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to overhaul the site into a buzzing community, with design-led homes alongside new work and leisure spaces.
The new images show more of the public square, set to open next spring. Visitors will be able to peer through glass in the floor into the Vaults Warehouse below, or descend through the feature entrance in the garden to the all-day foodie destination.
Elsewhere, the redundant canalside jetty will be overhauled into waterside green spot, where narrowboats can moor, whilst a new direct, much improved walkway will bring the Goods Yard square within a 60-second walk to the neighbouring Stoke-on-Trent main line rail station.
Tom Wilmot, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said:
“Being pride of place right next to the mainline train station, it’s always been important for Goods Yard to make a great first impression and create a sense of arrival as people step foot off the train in Stoke-on-Trent. Goods Yard will deliver new accessible green spaces, packed with trees and plants, for the Stoke-on-Trent community to enjoy. Sitting in the gardens in the sun will be a world away from the industrial, inaccessible space the site once was.
“We’ve been really encouraged by the interest for our commercial spaces and we’re starting to curate a diverse community of independent businesses that will draw people into the neighbourhood. Anyone thinking about re-locating, expanding, or setting up a new venture should get in touch if they want to be part of the Goods Yard story.”
It follows an encouraging start to the hunt for businesses to locate to the neighbourhood. The team have been buoyed by the volume of expressions of interest in the 30,000 sq. ft of commercial space that’s now up for grabs. Early discussions are underway with independent operators to fill up four neighbourhood buildings and transform the once unused space into a thriving new hot spot – with more encouraged to come forward and get in touch.
Artist collective DUST Rising are also starting their month-long takeover of the Goods Yard Signal Box space from this Friday (29 March), with the free exhibition featuring newly commissioned work from 10 artists with links to the city.
Councillor Chris Robinson, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:
“The green public space being created within Goods Yard is important as we strive for a healthier and greener city for the people of Stoke-on-Trent as well as providing attractive places to visit.
“This will be an oasis for local residents, a lunch place, a stopping off spot between trains or even a pop-up events space. With a new link to the station, it will be accessible on arrival and an attractive route for walkers and cyclists connecting Stoke town and the station which will extend to Hanley city centre on completion of the public realm improvements to Station Road and College Road.”
Flexible spaces at Goods Yard include the Vaults Warehouse; the Signal Box on Glebe Street; the new build Pavilion workspaces; and the industrial style new build spaces on the ground floor of the apartment building. The spaces, ranging from 1,200 sq. ft to 14,000 sq. ft, offer real flexibility, meaning the team is welcoming a wide range of proposed uses for consideration.
Those interested in the spaces have still got time to get in touch, with more information and contact details available at: www.capitalandcentric.com/goods-yard and via email goodsyard@capitalandcentric.com
