Construction kicks off at Capital&Centric’s Goods Yard

WORK to deliver an ambitious generation project in Stoke-on-Trent has officially begun.

Construction is underway at Capital&Centric’s Goods Yard – a £60 million mission to transform a prime industrial site next to the west coast mainline train station into a design-led, creative neighbourhood.

The social mission developers – behind vibrant communities in places like Manchester and Sheffield – are partnering with Stoke-on-Trent City Council on the project, backed by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

First, some of the existing sheds, built in the 1980s and with no architectural value will be dismantled, clearing the way for the considered mix of restored spaces and new builds to take shape. Once complete, it’ll be packed with 174 new design-led homes for rent; edgy work spaces; indie bars, cafes and shops; and stacks of green outdoor space open to the public.

Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital&Centric, said: “This is a mega moment for Stoke-on-Trent and our progress has been rapid. This time last year, we were just consulting the community and sharing our initial ideas. Flash forward and we’ve since submitted and had the plans green lit and are now getting going on site. Tonnes has changed in that short time – least of all the national economic climate – but we’re determined to deliver the goods for Stoke-on-Trent in partnership with the council. Whilst every inch of the neighbourhood has been designed to be one of the Midlands’ standout destinations, we also need it to be an inclusive and vibrant community where locals can hang out.

“It’s important that the communities we build embrace and reflect the identity of the place. Goods Yard is no different and there’ll be bags of opportunities for locals to get involved in the coming years as the neighbourhood takes shape.”

Prep work for different areas of the neighbourhood will begin this year. That includes the foundations for the new-build apartment block as well as restoration of the stunning vaulted warehouse – planned to become a buzzing food hall and events space.

Set for completion in 2025, construction is expected to create around 75 jobs and 12 apprenticeships for local young people.

Cllr Abi Brown, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Breaking the ground at The Goods Yard is ground-breaking for Stoke-on-Trent and there’s a buzz of excitement for what’s to come from creative work spaces and city living to waterside cafés and bars. Capital&Centric is a proven developer using bold and beautiful design to create vibrant places and it’s fantastic that we can now start see this new neighbourhood take shape with builder Bowmer & Kirkland active on site.

“Critically for the city, it is the first of our transformational Levelling Up projects to be delivered and in less than a year from the government’s funding announcement. Our ambition to bring jobs, skills, business growth and further investment to the city is being realised and the positive impact will be felt right across the city.”

The development will write a new chapter for the former Swift House site, located next to the HS2-connected Stoke-on-Trent train station and on the doorstep of Staffordshire University, the Trent and Mersey Canal and the A500.

The neighbourhood will feature:

• Goods Yard Living: 174 design-led apartments for rent, with a mix of 1,2 and 3-bed homes. The new building is planned to feature private resident gardens, as well as resident facilities such as a café or bike repair shop, alongside other uses such as a gym or convenience store.
• Signal Box: A café-bar in what is currently a derelict rail signal box.
• Vaults Warehouse: Restoration of the stunning, locally-listed, brick vaulted, below ground warehouse to create a combined work space and leisure venue.
• Canalside Jetty: Opening up the water’s edge to the public and creating a potential mooring point for visiting canal boats or a water taxi.
• The Pavilion: A contemporary building with a raw industrial feel that will provide 5,000sq.ft. of floor area in a double height space that will be made available for workspace and/or leisure uses.
• The Goods Yard Square: A bustling public square at the heart of the site, with seating, gardens and spaces for pop-up events, with pedestrian and cycle links to the surrounding area
• Hotel: A 150-bed hotel (to be delivered as part of Phase 2