Levelling up pot of £20m to improve Stoke-on-Trent

The Chatterley Whitfield Colliery is a derelict site in Stoke-on-Trent with buildings that date back to the 1880s

Government funding of £20m has been given to improve local areas in Stoke-on-Trent.

The levelling up money will be spent on improving town centres, recreational facilities, and restoring heritage assets such as a historic indoor market, the council said.

A spokesperson said it was a relief the cash had been approved before the election.

"With approval finally given, we will now crack on with delivery at pace," they added.

Burslem Indoor Market, which closed in 2003, was given listed status last year

Stoke-on-Trent was one of 20 areas invited to form Levelling Up Partnerships by the government last year, with a share of £400m on offer.

Council leaders and the government have now agreed how the money will be spent.

Almost £6.5m will go towards regenerating historic buildings, while £2.5m will be invested in improving recreational facilities, such as a new "wellbeing campus" in Burslem in partnership with Port Vale.

Some of the funding will support the restoration of the Grade II listed Burslem Indoor Market, with the aim of bringing it back into use.

There will also be funding for a "green growth strategy" at Chatterley Whitfield, another at-risk heritage asset in the city.

The council spokesperson said it would focus on improving the centres of Tunstall, Longton, and Stoke and strengthening its response to antisocial behaviour.

"Many young people and adults will benefit from a new Green Skills centre at the Burslem campus of Stoke College," the spokesperson added.

"Finally, we will be bringing forward a new City Centre plan."

The authority said the projects would complement other work being carried out under its new corporate strategy to "improve the wellbeing" of the city.

All the Levelling Up Partnerships will be subject to a business case.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.