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Post by thevoid on Aug 26, 2020 18:33:06 GMT
For all the hype over Piccadilly, Mart's Brewhouse closed before Covid. In the right town, it would have thrived. Considering it's the city centre, I can think of only one 'on trend' craft beer/bottle bar in Hanley, Bottle Craft- Newcastle and Hartshill have loads. Even Burslem has a few (John's Micropub, Bursley and Hog Noggins). I know The Coachmakers gets a lot of love but let's be honest, it's a bloody dump. And Piccadilly isn't varied enough to sustain a full night out- it's okay to pass through in the day/after work. Let's be honest, your Average Joe up Hanley just wants cheap Carling or Strongbow and the pubs reflect that. Bang on the money and exactly why Fortior's new apartments will struggle at the clayworks. They were supposed to be a midweek base for the executive class of Stoke, zoom and home working has shat all over the need for that. Does Stoke have those sort of people?
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Post by thevoid on Aug 26, 2020 18:38:07 GMT
Piccadilly is a nice area. They now need to expand out, street by street as the rest of the city centre is a dump, minus the 'new' area up by the shopping centre/cinema. They also need to build a green space around the area where the old bus station was to at least attract people closer to the centre, and more likely to spend time and money in Hanley. The rest of the Towns should become high streets as there's nowhere near the revenue required to be sustainable as individual towns. Ultimately the social mobility within the city is minimal and it's not positioned to attract people from outside of the city in. Agreed, though I think Piccadilly will do well to consolidate what it has in the short term before expanding. A bad winter of lockdown and/or continued social distancing would make it hard for what it has to survive. Last Saturday had loads of folk sitting on tables in street, which was great to see, but those venues will struggle to turn a socially distanced profit when we're stuck inside. A coherent strategy that ties in plans for all the town centres is needed, but suspect vested interests in each mean this is a non starter. Councillors in the other 5 towns won't support their patch being downgraded on favour of the development of a genuine city centre. So we're left with the current (barely) managed decline. The lack of attraction to people from outside has fuelled an insularity that's rare in a place with such a big population. I get asked what I'm doing here regularly when my accent is heard in pubs. Invariably out of friendly curiosity, but an unfamiliar accent shouldn't be that remarkable in a place this size. Anyone know what % of students from outside who study locally stay on in the area? Suspect it's pretty small, based on the state of the local jobs market. Hard to believe people from outside the area visited Hanley in the 90s- not just The Void but people from Birmingham, Cheshire and beyond used to come for Vallies and the R&B nights at The Place. And don't forget Longton was the centre of the UK clubbing scene for a few months in the 80s.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Aug 26, 2020 18:40:00 GMT
Agreed, though I think Piccadilly will do well to consolidate what it has in the short term before expanding. A bad winter of lockdown and/or continued social distancing would make it hard for what it has to survive. Last Saturday had loads of folk sitting on tables in street, which was great to see, but those venues will struggle to turn a socially distanced profit when we're stuck inside. A coherent strategy that ties in plans for all the town centres is needed, but suspect vested interests in each mean this is a non starter. Councillors in the other 5 towns won't support their patch being downgraded on favour of the development of a genuine city centre. So we're left with the current (barely) managed decline. The lack of attraction to people from outside has fuelled an insularity that's rare in a place with such a big population. I get asked what I'm doing here regularly when my accent is heard in pubs. Invariably out of friendly curiosity, but an unfamiliar accent shouldn't be that remarkable in a place this size. Anyone know what % of students from outside who study locally stay on in the area? Suspect it's pretty small, based on the state of the local jobs market. Hard to believe people from outside the area visited Hanley in the 90s- not just The Void but people from Birmingham, Cheshire and beyond used to come for Vallies and the R&B nights at The Place. And don't forget Longton was the centre of the UK clubbing scene for a few nonths in the 80s. And the early 90s with Kinetic n all that shite
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Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Aug 26, 2020 19:18:32 GMT
S-o-T's not in the HS2 plans, so that'll see investment going elsewhere (to the likes of Crewe) if HS2 goes ahead. I've seen other town centres this year that are at least as grim as Stoke-on-Trent, if not worse. While I don't like to see the decline of town centres, I've never been one for shopping or regular pub visits, so it doesn't affect me much personally. There are plenty of great places to live in the area - lots of green land and small country parks, for example. Only 1/2 an hour from the Peak District. I live in N-u-L and enjoy living in the area. Hopefully the good little music, theatre etc. venues will still be around when we're able to attend them again. Another reason I like living here though, is the proximity to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and other cities - when a favourite band is on tour, there's always a good chance they'll play at least one city within an hours drive away. And sometimes they even come here! There are plenty of airports in reach for my annual flight (not this year) too. So if you're considering Stoke/Newcastle, it depends what your alternatives are and what you want from a place to live? Will you be attending Stoke matches regularly? If the alternative was Crewe, Preston, Nuneaton and so on, I would pick SoT/NuL every time. Partly because I grew up in and love the area, but also because I know things are the same, if not worse, elsewhere. I'd pick this area over so called nicer cities like Chester too. I considered moving to Chester when I got a job there, but the commute on train from Crewe was quick, and apart from closer proximity to the Welsh mountains, there was nothing to attract me to Chester that isn't in SoT/NUL. Chester even has as bad a homeless/drug problem as I've seen elsewhere. There was also a posh town down south in the news recently that has people shooting up in the High Street in the middle of the day. [N U L is similar to stoke, rough and the smooth, there’s some fantastic people there as there is in Stoke , I was thinking if we merged there would be more investment as we would attract more investment if we were a bigger city, After all “ United strength is stronger “ ( now where have I heard that before) 🤔 If NUL and SOT were to combine what would you call it? There are some good anagrams out of those 6 letters: UNLOST LOST UN SOUL TN (Soul Town) NO SLUT NOUL ST LO TUNS LO NUTS NU LOST SOL NUT STUN LO NO LUST LUST ON
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Aug 26, 2020 19:55:17 GMT
S-o-T's not in the HS2 plans, so that'll see investment going elsewhere (to the likes of Crewe) if HS2 goes ahead. I've seen other town centres this year that are at least as grim as Stoke-on-Trent, if not worse. While I don't like to see the decline of town centres, I've never been one for shopping or regular pub visits, so it doesn't affect me much personally. There are plenty of great places to live in the area - lots of green land and small country parks, for example. Only 1/2 an hour from the Peak District. I live in N-u-L and enjoy living in the area. Hopefully the good little music, theatre etc. venues will still be around when we're able to attend them again. Another reason I like living here though, is the proximity to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and other cities - when a favourite band is on tour, there's always a good chance they'll play at least one city within an hours drive away. And sometimes they even come here! There are plenty of airports in reach for my annual flight (not this year) too. So if you're considering Stoke/Newcastle, it depends what your alternatives are and what you want from a place to live? Will you be attending Stoke matches regularly? If the alternative was Crewe, Preston, Nuneaton and so on, I would pick SoT/NuL every time. Partly because I grew up in and love the area, but also because I know things are the same, if not worse, elsewhere. I'd pick this area over so called nicer cities like Chester too. I considered moving to Chester when I got a job there, but the commute on train from Crewe was quick, and apart from closer proximity to the Welsh mountains, there was nothing to attract me to Chester that isn't in SoT/NUL. Chester even has as bad a homeless/drug problem as I've seen elsewhere. There was also a posh town down south in the news recently that has people shooting up in the High Street in the middle of the day. If NUL and SOT were to combine what would you call it? There are some good anagrams out of those 6 letters: UNLOST LOST UN SOUL TN (Soul Town) NO SLUT NOUL ST LO TUNS LO NUTS NU LOST SOL NUT STUN LO NO LUST LUST ON I worked in Brighton for a week last year. I have to say I’ve never in my life seen so many homeless/drug abusers. And yet the place is full of great pubs and bars, decent shopping, sea front. All that shite and the one thing I took away from the experience was the unbelievable amount of homeless/drug abusers. So I guess what I’m getting at is until we fix these problems, businesses are not going to want to pitch up.
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 26, 2020 20:28:06 GMT
Bang on the money and exactly why Fortior's new apartments will struggle at the clayworks. They were supposed to be a midweek base for the executive class of Stoke, zoom and home working has shat all over the need for that. Does Stoke have those sort of people? I think the 'bosses' think they do. To be fair I worked for a housing association where one director travels in from Leicester daily (free car and mileage, whilst the rest of us got pay cuts), another travelled in from Bakewell. However if these people they're aimed at aren't prepared to move anywhere near Stoke as it is they're highly unlikely to rent a pied de terre in Hanley are they! Been sold a pup in my opinion. Any management I have worked for around here in the touchy feel sector all get off on the social media posts and the feel good factor of the work being done, but none of them put their money where their mouth is and actually live around here. It's always a good few miles away and travel in. You know what I don't blame them or anyone else who does that, I just couldn't stomach the commute.
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 26, 2020 20:33:37 GMT
S-o-T's not in the HS2 plans, so that'll see investment going elsewhere (to the likes of Crewe) if HS2 goes ahead. I've seen other town centres this year that are at least as grim as Stoke-on-Trent, if not worse. While I don't like to see the decline of town centres, I've never been one for shopping or regular pub visits, so it doesn't affect me much personally. There are plenty of great places to live in the area - lots of green land and small country parks, for example. Only 1/2 an hour from the Peak District. I live in N-u-L and enjoy living in the area. Hopefully the good little music, theatre etc. venues will still be around when we're able to attend them again. Another reason I like living here though, is the proximity to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and other cities - when a favourite band is on tour, there's always a good chance they'll play at least one city within an hours drive away. And sometimes they even come here! There are plenty of airports in reach for my annual flight (not this year) too. So if you're considering Stoke/Newcastle, it depends what your alternatives are and what you want from a place to live? Will you be attending Stoke matches regularly? If the alternative was Crewe, Preston, Nuneaton and so on, I would pick SoT/NuL every time. Partly because I grew up in and love the area, but also because I know things are the same, if not worse, elsewhere. I'd pick this area over so called nicer cities like Chester too. I considered moving to Chester when I got a job there, but the commute on train from Crewe was quick, and apart from closer proximity to the Welsh mountains, there was nothing to attract me to Chester that isn't in SoT/NUL. Chester even has as bad a homeless/drug problem as I've seen elsewhere. There was also a posh town down south in the news recently that has people shooting up in the High Street in the middle of the day. If NUL and SOT were to combine what would you call it? There are some good anagrams out of those 6 letters: UNLOST LOST UN SOUL TN (Soul Town) NO SLUT NOUL ST LO TUNS LO NUTS NU LOST SOL NUT STUN LO NO LUST LUST ON And to be honest those are the reasons I'm still here. Pick the right area and you're doing alright. There's a decent pub scene down Hartshill and 'Castle, plenty of opportunities for getting outdoors on your doorstep, decent little venues like Eleven and the Sugarmill and if you want any more than that you're 45 minutes to an hour away.
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 26, 2020 20:36:18 GMT
S-o-T's not in the HS2 plans, so that'll see investment going elsewhere (to the likes of Crewe) if HS2 goes ahead. I've seen other town centres this year that are at least as grim as Stoke-on-Trent, if not worse. While I don't like to see the decline of town centres, I've never been one for shopping or regular pub visits, so it doesn't affect me much personally. There are plenty of great places to live in the area - lots of green land and small country parks, for example. Only 1/2 an hour from the Peak District. I live in N-u-L and enjoy living in the area. Hopefully the good little music, theatre etc. venues will still be around when we're able to attend them again. Another reason I like living here though, is the proximity to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and other cities - when a favourite band is on tour, there's always a good chance they'll play at least one city within an hours drive away. And sometimes they even come here! There are plenty of airports in reach for my annual flight (not this year) too. So if you're considering Stoke/Newcastle, it depends what your alternatives are and what you want from a place to live? Will you be attending Stoke matches regularly? If the alternative was Crewe, Preston, Nuneaton and so on, I would pick SoT/NuL every time. Partly because I grew up in and love the area, but also because I know things are the same, if not worse, elsewhere. I'd pick this area over so called nicer cities like Chester too. I considered moving to Chester when I got a job there, but the commute on train from Crewe was quick, and apart from closer proximity to the Welsh mountains, there was nothing to attract me to Chester that isn't in SoT/NUL. Chester even has as bad a homeless/drug problem as I've seen elsewhere. There was also a posh town down south in the news recently that has people shooting up in the High Street in the middle of the day. There are some good anagrams out of those 6 letters: UNLOST LOST UN SOUL TN (Soul Town) NO SLUT NOUL ST LO TUNS LO NUTS NU LOST SOL NUT STUN LO NO LUST LUST ON I worked in Brighton for a week last year. I have to say I’ve never in my life seen so many homeless/drug abusers. And yet the place is full of great pubs and bars, decent shopping, sea front. All that shite and the one thing I took away from the experience was the unbelievable amount of homeless/drug abusers. So I guess what I’m getting at is until we fix these problems, businesses are not going to want to pitch up. I went to Portland in the States last year, very similar place with similar 'right on' reputation. Flooded with homeless people, a massive problem on their own doorstep that they couldn't be arsed to fix, yet they seem blind to it when they see it everyday and love to preach to the rest of us.
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Post by Billy the kid on Aug 26, 2020 21:02:58 GMT
Does Stoke have those sort of people? I think the 'bosses' think they do. To be fair I worked for a housing association where one director travels in from Leicester daily (free car and mileage, whilst the rest of us got pay cuts), another travelled in from Bakewell. However if these people they're aimed at aren't prepared to move anywhere near Stoke as it is they're highly unlikely to rent a pied de terre in Hanley are they! Been sold a pup in my opinion. Any management I have worked for around here in the touchy feel sector all get off on the social media posts and the feel good factor of the work being done, but none of them put their money where their mouth is and actually live around here. It's always a good few miles away and travel in. You know what I don't blame them or anyone else who does that, I just couldn't stomach the commute. Yes, anyone with the choice/money to work in Stoke but not "LIVE" in Stoke generally don't live in Stoke On Trent. Personally I have left the area and I wont be back, i really miss the football, the people and fucking Oatcakes..... but I will never move back, I live in Mansfield now, and they are all generally the "ex miner community" like NUL and parts of Stoke, the difference is that everything is on a sensible bus route, services are put in place, and i don't live in a shit neighborhood, but even had the ASBO compliance officer, knock on my door just to ask if I was having any problems etc, if you have never left SOT then you really don't see how the rest of the UK live. It is fucking criminal how SOT is given a wide berth from politicians to business leaders, but then NO ONE has ever stuck up for Stoke and they never will. There is talk her of having trams put in to access Nottingham, we already have regular trains.
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Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Aug 26, 2020 21:19:37 GMT
S-o-T's not in the HS2 plans, so that'll see investment going elsewhere (to the likes of Crewe) if HS2 goes ahead. I've seen other town centres this year that are at least as grim as Stoke-on-Trent, if not worse. While I don't like to see the decline of town centres, I've never been one for shopping or regular pub visits, so it doesn't affect me much personally. There are plenty of great places to live in the area - lots of green land and small country parks, for example. Only 1/2 an hour from the Peak District. I live in N-u-L and enjoy living in the area. Hopefully the good little music, theatre etc. venues will still be around when we're able to attend them again. Another reason I like living here though, is the proximity to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and other cities - when a favourite band is on tour, there's always a good chance they'll play at least one city within an hours drive away. And sometimes they even come here! There are plenty of airports in reach for my annual flight (not this year) too. So if you're considering Stoke/Newcastle, it depends what your alternatives are and what you want from a place to live? Will you be attending Stoke matches regularly? If the alternative was Crewe, Preston, Nuneaton and so on, I would pick SoT/NuL every time. Partly because I grew up in and love the area, but also because I know things are the same, if not worse, elsewhere. I'd pick this area over so called nicer cities like Chester too. I considered moving to Chester when I got a job there, but the commute on train from Crewe was quick, and apart from closer proximity to the Welsh mountains, there was nothing to attract me to Chester that isn't in SoT/NUL. Chester even has as bad a homeless/drug problem as I've seen elsewhere. There was also a posh town down south in the news recently that has people shooting up in the High Street in the middle of the day. There are some good anagrams out of those 6 letters: UNLOST LOST UN SOUL TN (Soul Town) NO SLUT NOUL ST LO TUNS LO NUTS NU LOST SOL NUT STUN LO NO LUST LUST ON And to be honest those are the reasons I'm still here. Pick the right area and you're doing alright. There's a decent pub scene down Hartshill and 'Castle, plenty of opportunities for getting outdoors on your doorstep, decent little venues like Eleven and the Sugarmill and if you want any more than that you're 45 minutes to an hour away. Actually, there is more to keep me local compared to Chester. The live music, comedy, theatre and more in Chester was pretty much non-existent. I think the New Vic in Newcastle especially puts on some excellent stuff. And the main music venues in Stoke-on-Trent are very good too. I do like a quiet pub now and again, and also - better experience in Newcastle and Stoke compared to Chester. This is all information I was surprised to learn.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 26, 2020 21:30:51 GMT
What a depressing topic this is....however I agree with almost everything you guys have said. Stoke on Trent is on its arse at present and I don't see it getting better any time soon.I encourage both my kids 25 and almost 18 to move to a nicer area which I feel they may do.I was born and raised on Scotia Road in Burslem so I'm a Stoke lad through and through but when I downsize my house I'm looking to move out towards the Congleton area...mostly quite nice and closer to Manchester (which is where my 25 year old and his girlfriend and mates go to for a decent day/night out) We have friends who live in Nottingham and we have a weekend there every three months or so...it's like a different world....very clean and dozens of lovely restaurants and pubs and never a hint of any trouble If you are pinning your hopes on Congleton as being an idealistic place to move to.... then I would strongly recommend that you dont. Having lived there half my life I can tell you that it isnt all it is cracked up to be, you have the rough areas (tin town) and then the rest, where its all for show, fur coat and no knickers. Stoke isnt a great place but at least the people are mostly friendly. The people of Congleton are by and large, snobs arrogant and about as friendly as Londeners. Horrible people OK place (or it was until they allowed a shit load of development to happen and doubled the size of the town with new build housing, at inflated prices. The areas relatively close that are nice with nice folk are Sandbach, or Northwich etc much better. I've looked at places like Congleton and Stafford, but they seem pretty soulless sort of places. Would rather take my chances in Stoke if they were the alternatives.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 26, 2020 21:32:34 GMT
Agreed, though I think Piccadilly will do well to consolidate what it has in the short term before expanding. A bad winter of lockdown and/or continued social distancing would make it hard for what it has to survive. Last Saturday had loads of folk sitting on tables in street, which was great to see, but those venues will struggle to turn a socially distanced profit when we're stuck inside. A coherent strategy that ties in plans for all the town centres is needed, but suspect vested interests in each mean this is a non starter. Councillors in the other 5 towns won't support their patch being downgraded on favour of the development of a genuine city centre. So we're left with the current (barely) managed decline. The lack of attraction to people from outside has fuelled an insularity that's rare in a place with such a big population. I get asked what I'm doing here regularly when my accent is heard in pubs. Invariably out of friendly curiosity, but an unfamiliar accent shouldn't be that remarkable in a place this size. Anyone know what % of students from outside who study locally stay on in the area? Suspect it's pretty small, based on the state of the local jobs market. Hard to believe people from outside the area visited Hanley in the 90s- not just The Void but people from Birmingham, Cheshire and beyond used to come for Vallies and the R&B nights at The Place. And don't forget Longton was the centre of the UK clubbing scene for a few nonths in the 80s. I'd heard of Shelleys before I could find Stoke on a map. Clubbing days are long gone, though could get my arm twisted for a Golden reunion if I had a rush of blood to the head.
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Post by Billy the kid on Aug 26, 2020 21:33:47 GMT
If you are pinning your hopes on Congleton as being an idealistic place to move to.... then I would strongly recommend that you dont. Having lived there half my life I can tell you that it isnt all it is cracked up to be, you have the rough areas (tin town) and then the rest, where its all for show, fur coat and no knickers. Stoke isnt a great place but at least the people are mostly friendly. The people of Congleton are by and large, snobs arrogant and about as friendly as Londeners. Horrible people OK place (or it was until they allowed a shit load of development to happen and doubled the size of the town with new build housing, at inflated prices. The areas relatively close that are nice with nice folk are Sandbach, or Northwich etc much better. I've looked at places like Congleton and Stafford, but they seem pretty soulless sort of places. Would rather take my chances in Stoke if they were the alternatives. I have no love for anywhere or preference to live (save for one day moving to mid wales on a small holding and generally having fuck all to do with people) so yeah I am an anti social bastard or recluse or fucking wanker depending on your point of view, but i would live in Fegg Hayes, Blurton or even dividy road before I would move to somewhere like Congleton.
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Post by cerebralstokie on Aug 26, 2020 21:35:55 GMT
North Staffordshire is a small conurbation with approx 400,000 population. In my view, what is needed is for the area to have a Unitary Local Authority with a leader who has vision as to how the area should develop. The area has many natural advantages, Central location, good rail connections with London - though East West connectivity is poor (why are there no direct rail connections between, say Liverpool, Crewe, Stoke, Derby and Nottingham/Leicester?). The area is within easy reach of the Peak District/Lake District/Snowdonia as well as other local beauty spots such as Cannock Chase and the Dane Valley. Many jobs were lost in the 80's as a result of Economic policies at the time. When this happens, I think Governments have a responsibility to encourage new jobs into the area. We got a Garden Festival with the legacy of Festival Park. The transport needs of the area need re thinking (tram system?).Much of our industrial heritage has been lost. Bigger cities, especially Manchester and Birmingham have had massive investment. Stoke does not have the "critical mass" to achieve this. When I visit the city, my heart sinks to see - for example - the shell of the old Twyfords factory rotting away for all to see from the D road or the railway and to see Longton with its betting shops, charity shops and ageing shopping centre and decaying buildings. I may be wrong, but I cannot remember any civic leader successfully promoting the area and lobbying effectively for inward investment. The people are, I think, amongst the friendliest in England - and they deserve better.
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Post by danceswithclams on Aug 26, 2020 21:40:16 GMT
Hard to believe people from outside the area visited Hanley in the 90s- not just The Void but people from Birmingham, Cheshire and beyond used to come for Vallies and the R&B nights at The Place. And don't forget Longton was the centre of the UK clubbing scene for a few nonths in the 80s. I'd heard of Shelleys before I could find Stoke on a map. Clubbing days are long gone, though could get my arm twisted for a Golden reunion if I had a rush of blood to the head. There's regular Golden reunions at Keele Uni featuring all the old residents / top billing DJs - Lee Burridge, Jon '00' Flemming,etc. Granted, they're always full of people who now spend more on child care than recreationals but they're always reasonably well attended and seem quite good fun.
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Post by thevoid on Aug 26, 2020 21:40:53 GMT
Hard to believe people from outside the area visited Hanley in the 90s- not just The Void but people from Birmingham, Cheshire and beyond used to come for Vallies and the R&B nights at The Place. And don't forget Longton was the centre of the UK clubbing scene for a few nonths in the 80s. I'd heard of Shelleys before I could find Stoke on a map. Clubbing days are long gone, though could get my arm twisted for a Golden reunion if I had a rush of blood to the head. I've never bothered with the reunions at Keele because it just wouldn't be the same. It's a slippery slope to being like your dad or uncle and trying to strut your stuff to Northern Soul in their 50s 😎 Plus the wife would kill me if I took any Class A's now 😂 I was there in my prime and that's good enough for me. I still listen to the music and love putting playlists together but give me a pub with a nice pint these days.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 26, 2020 21:42:19 GMT
No, there's a bit more to it than that. Piccadilly has the makings of a good spot but I've never seen it particularly busy, and the majority of the venues haven't really established themselves yet. The one whose breakfast I don't fancy has apologetically rebranded itself for starters, which shows that whatever they were doing previously wasn't working. Anyway I wish them well, and doubt they'll take me going elsewhere personally. Somewhere with a more vibrant scene would have a string of alternatives that would trip off the tongue, but we seem to be stuck with this one place that isn't for me. I've been in Klay, the Quarter, Bottle Craft, The Corner and The Unicorn down that way so am doing my bit for the local economy, and if the other place sorts out its granary toast situation I'll give them a turn too. Piccadilly is kind of half way there but has been for a while and seems a little contented with where it’s at. It isn’t enough, it needs a big push and who knows it might grow into nearby streets off the back of it. I just feel it’s not being made the most of. The better that small section gets, the more likely the feel good factor can spread. Missed your comment at the time and ended up saying similar myself, though I think the increased footfall has to come before an expansion as any more venues would be fishing in too small a pool at this stage. Another few venues would make it more of a destination, but in the meantime could sink what they have, esp with an uncertain winter ahead (Covid/Brexit/fuck knows what else). Be interesting how the existing surrounding businesses cope too. I've been in the Seafarer (though not since start of the year) and the Greasy Spoon on the left hand side at the bottom end that doesn't even have a name. It's definitely servicing a different clientele than the rest of the street, but has thd best home made chips in town.
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Post by thevoid on Aug 26, 2020 21:46:17 GMT
I'd heard of Shelleys before I could find Stoke on a map. Clubbing days are long gone, though could get my arm twisted for a Golden reunion if I had a rush of blood to the head. There's regular Golden reunions at Keele Uni featuring all the old residents / top billing DJs - Lee Burridge, Jon '00' Flemming,etc. Granted, they're always full of people who now spend more on child care than recreationals but they're always reasonably well attended and seem quite good fun. Lee Burridge, loved his residency as they went through a prog house phase (before that weird hard house craze kicked in). Funnily enough, John OO Fleming was on some property show in Spain on C4 a few weeks ago, A Place in the Sun or something similar.
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 26, 2020 21:53:58 GMT
Piccadilly is kind of half way there but has been for a while and seems a little contented with where it’s at. It isn’t enough, it needs a big push and who knows it might grow into nearby streets off the back of it. I just feel it’s not being made the most of. The better that small section gets, the more likely the feel good factor can spread. Missed your comment at the time and ended up saying similar myself, though I think the increased footfall has to come before an expansion as any more venues would be fishing in too small a pool at this stage. Another few venues would make it more of a destination, but in the meantime could sink what they have, esp with an uncertain winter ahead (Covid/Brexit/fuck knows what else). Be interesting how the existing surrounding businesses cope too. I've been in the Seafarer (though not since start of the year) and the Greasy Spoon on the left hand side at the bottom end that doesn't even have a name. It's definitely servicing a different clientele than the rest of the street, but has thd best home made chips in town. They need desperately to work to get local people up there again before they worry about the 'tourists'. I literally use Hanley for the Sugarmill, that's it and I doubt I'll be back there for a while. Terraces opened in 'Castle so I can collect any orders from their now instead of Hanley. There's is absolutely no reason for me to venture anywhere near the place. It's the old adage of the customer knowing best and it seems most customers have just walked away for a more enjoyable, comfortable and safer feeling elsewhere.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 26, 2020 21:54:20 GMT
I'd be interested in how many on here vote in council elections, and whether they've noticed a difference from Labour domination through the BNP horror show to the Tory/Independent control now. I suspect the size of the task is beyond ANY council or political party, so they end up tinkering around the edges to look busy. I'm solidly Labour, but not sure of any achievements from their years in power locally? I vote in every election both local and national. Though I certainly know that a lot of people I work with don't. Especially the females. I'm another one who takes an active interest in politics, but assume anyone I talk to doesn't as turnout and general interest/understanding of politics is so low. Will have to read up on The City Independents as I've got little knowledge of them, but assume that's where the UKIP/anti-politics vote has gone in places where they're more palatable than the Tories.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 26, 2020 21:58:32 GMT
I'd heard of Shelleys before I could find Stoke on a map. Clubbing days are long gone, though could get my arm twisted for a Golden reunion if I had a rush of blood to the head. There's regular Golden reunions at Keele Uni featuring all the old residents / top billing DJs - Lee Burridge, Jon '00' Flemming,etc. Granted, they're always full of people who now spend more on child care than recreationals but they're always reasonably well attended and seem quite good fun. Yeah have had an eye on them and if I was to go anywhere it'd be to one of them, but while the mind is willing, the body is fucked. Saw Lee Burridge 20ish years ago in Manchester, though the attraction of clubbing for me was always the crowd more than whoever was playing, and I'm definitely only fit to play with the Vets team at this stage. 😁
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Post by Billy the kid on Aug 26, 2020 21:59:16 GMT
North Staffordshire is a small conurbation with approx 400,000 population. In my view, what is needed is for the area to have a Unitary Local Authority with a leader who has vision as to how the area should develop. The area has many natural advantages, Central location, good rail connections with London - though East West connectivity is poor (why are there no direct rail connections between, say Liverpool, Crewe, Stoke, Derby and Nottingham/Leicester?). The area is within easy reach of the Peak District/Lake District/Snowdonia as well as other local beauty spots such as Cannock Chase and the Dane Valley. Many jobs were lost in the 80's as a result of Economic policies at the time. When this happens, I think Governments have a responsibility to encourage new jobs into the area. We got a Garden Festival with the legacy of Festival Park. The transport needs of the area need re thinking (tram system?).Much of our industrial heritage has been lost. Bigger cities, especially Manchester and Birmingham have had massive investment. Stoke does not have the "critical mass" to achieve this. When I visit the city, my heart sinks to see - for example - the shell of the old Twyfords factory rotting away for all to see from the D road or the railway and to see Longton with its betting shops, charity shops and ageing shopping centre and decaying buildings. I may be wrong, but I cannot remember any civic leader successfully promoting the area and lobbying effectively for inward investment. The people are, I think, amongst the friendliest in England - and they deserve better. Bang on the money I have left the area as I’m nearly 40 this needed investment won’t happen before I’m in a home having my arse wiped, so I have left and honestly my eyes have been opened, anyone reading this please understand SOT has been let down the rest of the country have moved on from the 70s
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 26, 2020 22:00:55 GMT
I vote in every election both local and national. Though I certainly know that a lot of people I work with don't. Especially the females. I'm another one who takes an active interest in politics, but assume anyone I talk to doesn't as turnout and general interest/understanding of politics is so low. Will have to read up on The City Independents as I've got little knowledge of them, but assume that's where the UKIP/anti-politics vote has gone in places where they're more palatable than the Tories. Nothing changed for the better or improved under local or national labour. I think most people who voted for CI/Tories did so because what have they got to lose. A bit of reading into Common Purpose is interesting when you see who the local members are, where they work and the influence they have. None of them are prepared to put aside their differences and work to better the city for everybody. It's all self interest and one-upmanship. A lack of any personal responsibility.
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 26, 2020 22:03:32 GMT
North Staffordshire is a small conurbation with approx 400,000 population. In my view, what is needed is for the area to have a Unitary Local Authority with a leader who has vision as to how the area should develop. The area has many natural advantages, Central location, good rail connections with London - though East West connectivity is poor (why are there no direct rail connections between, say Liverpool, Crewe, Stoke, Derby and Nottingham/Leicester?). The area is within easy reach of the Peak District/Lake District/Snowdonia as well as other local beauty spots such as Cannock Chase and the Dane Valley. Many jobs were lost in the 80's as a result of Economic policies at the time. When this happens, I think Governments have a responsibility to encourage new jobs into the area. We got a Garden Festival with the legacy of Festival Park. The transport needs of the area need re thinking (tram system?).Much of our industrial heritage has been lost. Bigger cities, especially Manchester and Birmingham have had massive investment. Stoke does not have the "critical mass" to achieve this. When I visit the city, my heart sinks to see - for example - the shell of the old Twyfords factory rotting away for all to see from the D road or the railway and to see Longton with its betting shops, charity shops and ageing shopping centre and decaying buildings. I may be wrong, but I cannot remember any civic leader successfully promoting the area and lobbying effectively for inward investment. The people are, I think, amongst the friendliest in England - and they deserve better. Bang on the money I have left the area as I’m nearly 40 this needed investment won’t happen before I’m in a home having my arse wiped, so I have left and honestly my eyes have been opened, anyone reading this please understand SOT has been let down the rest of the country have moved on from the 70s I've said this on here before, I was about 26 when a council officer told me we'd all be dead before Stoke was regenerated. I'm 40ish now, I thought what a cunt at first but the older I've got he's bang on the money.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 26, 2020 22:03:54 GMT
I'd heard of Shelleys before I could find Stoke on a map. Clubbing days are long gone, though could get my arm twisted for a Golden reunion if I had a rush of blood to the head. I've never bothered with the reunions at Keele because it just wouldn't be the same. It's a slippery slope to being like your dad or uncle and trying to strut your stuff to Northern Soul in their 50s 😎 Plus the wife would kill me if I took any Class A's now 😂 I was there in my prime and that's good enough for me. I still listen to the music and love putting playlists together but give me a pub with a nice pint these days. That's always the worry - looking like someone's creepy uncle or (even worse😂) a cop wouldn't do the image or self esteem much good. So I'd only consider somewhere with a more, er, mature crowd. Circus in Liverpool is the last night I've been to (few years ago now) and didn't feel out of place, but I wouldn't like to have appeared as an extra in anyone's life stream. Never say never. 👀
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Post by Billy the kid on Aug 26, 2020 22:11:10 GMT
Bang on the money I have left the area as I’m nearly 40 this needed investment won’t happen before I’m in a home having my arse wiped, so I have left and honestly my eyes have been opened, anyone reading this please understand SOT has been let down the rest of the country have moved on from the 70s I've said this on here before, I was about 26 when a council officer told me we'd all be dead before Stoke was regenerated. I'm 40ish now, I thought what a cunt at first but the older I've got he's bang on the money. It’s fucking heart breaking mate, having left and seen how even I. A run down area of Nottinghamshire just what’s out there and support and investment, it’s like anyone that is loyal to stoke on Trent can’t see it, or mostly sleep walking in to accepting shit as Norma, it isn’t, and it scares me cos the younger generation are being influenced by social media so some join the army some join the bnp or combat 18 cos literally stoke on Trent has by and large been left behind, like I said it’s fucking heart breaking.
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 26, 2020 22:15:45 GMT
I've said this on here before, I was about 26 when a council officer told me we'd all be dead before Stoke was regenerated. I'm 40ish now, I thought what a cunt at first but the older I've got he's bang on the money. It’s fucking heart breaking mate, having left and seen how even I. A run down area of Nottinghamshire just what’s out there and support and investment, it’s like anyone that is loyal to stoke on Trent can’t see it, or mostly sleep walking in to accepting shit as Norma, it isn’t, and it scares me cos the younger generation are being influenced by social media so some join the army some join the bnp or combat 18 cos literally stoke on Trent has by and large been left behind, like I did fucking heart breaking. My plan is to be gone in the next 15 years. Mortgage is paid up in November so I'm after investing in property elsewhere and hopefully moving to it when I plan to wind down. I won't spend more money on property around here I think, if I do it'll be outside the SOT boundary because we're trusted to work from home for the most part now.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 26, 2020 22:16:21 GMT
North Staffordshire is a small conurbation with approx 400,000 population. In my view, what is needed is for the area to have a Unitary Local Authority with a leader who has vision as to how the area should develop. The area has many natural advantages, Central location, good rail connections with London - though East West connectivity is poor (why are there no direct rail connections between, say Liverpool, Crewe, Stoke, Derby and Nottingham/Leicester?). The area is within easy reach of the Peak District/Lake District/Snowdonia as well as other local beauty spots such as Cannock Chase and the Dane Valley. Many jobs were lost in the 80's as a result of Economic policies at the time. When this happens, I think Governments have a responsibility to encourage new jobs into the area. We got a Garden Festival with the legacy of Festival Park. The transport needs of the area need re thinking (tram system?).Much of our industrial heritage has been lost. Bigger cities, especially Manchester and Birmingham have had massive investment. Stoke does not have the "critical mass" to achieve this. When I visit the city, my heart sinks to see - for example - the shell of the old Twyfords factory rotting away for all to see from the D road or the railway and to see Longton with its betting shops, charity shops and ageing shopping centre and decaying buildings. I may be wrong, but I cannot remember any civic leader successfully promoting the area and lobbying effectively for inward investment. The people are, I think, amongst the friendliest in England - and they deserve better. The most constructive suggestion on the thread, and one I agree with (while not seeing how it'll happen with the vested interests involved). Andy Street and Andy Burnham seem to be doing a decent job of being figureheads for their regions with actual power to get stuff done. A scaled down version of that with the administration able to lay out a vision with the power to try to deliver it seems the best hope for the area. In the short term the clean sweep of Tory MPs and council control throughout Staffs is an opportunity for them to show what the can do. My hopes aren't high, but what went before didn't work either.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 26, 2020 22:21:02 GMT
I'm another one who takes an active interest in politics, but assume anyone I talk to doesn't as turnout and general interest/understanding of politics is so low. Will have to read up on The City Independents as I've got little knowledge of them, but assume that's where the UKIP/anti-politics vote has gone in places where they're more palatable than the Tories. Nothing changed for the better or improved under local or national labour. I think most people who voted for CI/Tories did so because what have they got to lose. A bit of reading into Common Purpose is interesting when you see who the local members are, where they work and the influence they have. None of them are prepared to put aside their differences and work to better the city for everybody. It's all self interest and one-upmanship. A lack of any personal responsibility. Did Stoke get any sort of a bounce out of Blair's first couple of terms? Seemingly every Northern(ish) city centre got tarted up, and the investment in public services was noticeable across the piece. Assume schools and hospitals locally were improved, but can't see any evidence of regeneration otherwise.
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Post by RF10 on Aug 26, 2020 22:28:09 GMT
NUL is at least trying to progress. Stoke looks like a working museum from the blitz. No thanks. Are you sure about that? There's great swathes of crumbling land where the old Sainsbury's was demolished, the old council offices and Police station are still boarded up, there's a half finished new development next to Jubilee Baths that's been stuck in a state of arrested development for nearly 2 years, and there's been a noted increase of anti-social behaviour perpetrated by drug-addled scumbags on the Iron Market/Sunken Roundabout. It might look a bit better aesthetically but the same problems are there. Indeed. Newcastle could have been saved years ago but the council ignored all signs it was go in down hill. The rents for businesses were beyond affordable. It's aim should have been to generate a small Shrewsbury with nice independent shops. Nowadays there's literally fuck all remotely like this. The parking situation and charges were too high putting people off driving in. The old site at Sainsburys should have been utilised for cheap parking but they stuck it at standard high price and no one bothered parking. Decent amount of variation on pubs now need and few more nice restaurants would make it a good evening place.
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