Agenda item

The Deputy Leader / Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth went through the delivery of projects funded by the Town Deal and Future High Street Funds as detailed in the report.

The Chair welcomed the progress made and expressed his wish for something to be done for the Roebuck Centre as well sometime in the future.

Cllr Edgington-Plunkett thanked everyone for the regular reports provided in particular with regard to the car park and asked about the Performing Arts Centre and music venue.

The Deputy Leader advised that the plan was to launch an underground entertainment centre in conjunction with the Council and funding available through the Performing Arts Centre.

Cllr Grocott enquired about timescales in relation to projects to be completed by 2027 as well the government extensions discussed for Kidsgrove.

The Deputy Chief Executive responded that the Government asked if the Council wished to extend the spending to the end of 2027 which was confirmed. Meanwhile the team was working on having the issues regarding the train station and survey works resolved as quickly as possible.

Cllr Reece asked if the apart hotel was still firmly on the agenda given Capital and Centric seemed to have residential development plans where the latter was supposed to be as discussed with the Conservation Advisory Working Party.

The Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that there would be an apart hotel and advised that the plans looked similar to those of the residential apartments.

Cllr Gordon asked what an apart hotel was and how it differed from a conventional hotel, whether the Performing Centre had a new permanent location in Astley Place, and if the 53 Ironmarket conversion was open to members of the public or for students only.

The Deputy Chief Executive responded that Keele in Town was open to the public, which would be more relevant with the opening of the cafeteria and chairs and tables put outside.

About the Philip Astley Centre, this would stay where it currently was on Merrial Street but the funding would be transferred to Astley Place.

Finally an apart hotel was made of apartments instead of the regular bedrooms and the usual facilities found in a hotel were not included. There would be a doorway with a keypad and access would be like an apartment building.

Cllr Gordon asked if there would be staff based in the building.

The Deputy Chief Executive said there would probably be a duty manager and cleaners coming in but staff like receptionists shouldn’t be expected.

Cllr Whieldon praised the work of Capital and Centric and everyone involved in preserving the heritage of the town.

The Deputy Leader commented on the good relationship and shared vision between the Council and the contractors.

The Chair seconded his colleagues, adding that the quick progress made in a short time was also appreciated.

Cllr Whieldon shared her thoughts that demolishing a building and then starting again from scratch doubled the costs and so revitalising an existing structure was likely to be the least expensive way of developing a town centre fit for purpose for this century.

Resolved:    That the report on the delivery of the Town Deal and Future High Street Funds projects be noted.

Watch the debate here