Work starts on Stoke town centre reboot

Times Square in Longton will get a £1.9m glow-up as part of a project to revitalise three Stoke-on-Trent town centres.

The city council says work has now begun on a project to refurbish the area outside Longton town hall, set to create a new public space that will provide seating, new paving and tree planting to create a welcoming gateway to the town.

The proposals form part of wider £6.5m public realm plans set to take place across the city, which also include improvements in Burslem and Stoke.

The Longton project is backed by a £29m award from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund, awarded in December 2020 to improve the city’s transport links.

As part of the works, a network of improvements will be made to pedestrian links between the rail station, bus station, town centre and the Tesco retail park, while planned traffic upgrades will improve circulation and reduce congestion, the city council says.

How a refurbished Times Square could look outside Longton Town Hall. Credit: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Cllr Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, growth and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the scheme represented a “new era” for Longton town centre.

“Once completed, these enhancements will not only offer modern, accessible and greener transport but, with wider, high-quality paved walkways with railings and better lighting, we hope they will act as an inviting hub for residents, visitors and local businesses alike,” he said.

“In addition to moving one step closer to establishing a real focal point with the pedestrianised plaza outside the entrance to the town hall, both Baths Passage and Strand Passage are also undergoing their own series of enhancement works. This will see them function as both high-quality walking routes and welcoming public spaces, improving how people experience Longton town centre.”