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Post by thehartshillbadger on Aug 1, 2024 21:30:00 GMT
I went to Slamwich Club the other week, cool tunes, basic but functional decor. The staff were lovely and really work hard and the food was really good for a sarnie. We need more like this but sadly I doubt it’ll happen. Absolutely agree on the state of the buildings, absolutely no pride whatsoever and it’s basically a ghost town even in Piccadilly It's the same in most cities here. I vividly remember spending a few days in Chicago, being up early in the mornings and wandering around a few blocks. Virtually every restaurant, bar, deli etc would have someone washing down the exterior of the building, the pavement etc. Bar NYC and Toronto (Toronto subs for NYC in TV & film, maybe that's why) it was the same in most North American cities I've been privileged to visit. Over here they just wait for someone else to do it but it never happens obviously because there is no pride left anymore
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 1, 2024 21:38:01 GMT
It's the same in most cities here. I vividly remember spending a few days in Chicago, being up early in the mornings and wandering around a few blocks. Virtually every restaurant, bar, deli etc would have someone washing down the exterior of the building, the pavement etc. Bar NYC and Toronto (Toronto subs for NYC in TV & film, maybe that's why) it was the same in most North American cities I've been privileged to visit. Over here they just wait for someone else to do it but it never happens obviously because there is no pride left anymore It sounds daft but I see it the same as a contractor. If their van is a shit tip, it's a reflection on them and the likely attitude to delivering work for you. It's the same with eateries, bars etc if it looks a mess outside what's the state of the kitchen/cellar going to be? I was up in Holmfirth again last weekend and mar lady said you want to be there, it feels safe, it's clean, it's thriving. It isn't much bigger than Stoke town centre but it feels a million light years away. I suppose it hasn't got a Macari Centre and a Salvation Army 400 yards away from each other (who thought that one up 🤦), but there's no civic pride whatsoever by comparison. The Glebe is about the only place that makes a comparable effort.
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Post by tommycarlsberg on Aug 1, 2024 21:41:55 GMT
Been in Hanley tonight for a few drinks. Saw Ben Gibson knocking around Piccadilly, looking bewildered. It's the first time I've been to Hanley on a week night, in the late evening light for years. It's plain to see why Hanley is dying .. and I don't care who thinks I'm a miserable git, stuff needs to be brought into the conversation. Firstly, the dirt on the bars and eateries. It's gross. You sit outside, and the buildings are covered in dirt and grime, now if i was a bar/eatery owner, I'd have some self pride and clean it off. It's reminiscent of those people who let their flats fall to bits and then starting weeping about it in the press because they haven't done anything and expect someone else too. Secondly, the music. Jesus wept. I walked into one bar, and they're playing Abba and the spice girls. Now this is actually a very good looking bar with bags of potential (needs a clean obvs), but you couldn't sit in there because the music is so bad. Same for another bar, the music is just awful. People think it doesn't matter but it really does, its one of the most important things to consider. No wonder other cities are light years ahead, you need fresh music, for a cool crowd. Which leads onto my last point. It's all geared up for a benidorm crowd. Sorry to say it, but catering for this crowd can only further reduce and opportunities in the city. Slamwich club, very positive vibes in being contemporary. Piccadilly went tits up when nørth sadly went. Slamwich Club has done brilliantly to keep it going.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Aug 1, 2024 21:46:59 GMT
Over here they just wait for someone else to do it but it never happens obviously because there is no pride left anymore It sounds daft but I see it the same as a contractor. If their van is a shit tip, it's a reflection on them and the likely attitude to delivering work for you. It's the same with eateries, bars etc if it looks a mess outside what's the state of the kitchen/cellar going to be? I was up in Holmfirth again last weekend and mar lady said you want to be there, it feels safe, it's clean, it's thriving. It isn't much bigger than Stoke town centre but it feels a million light years away. I suppose it hasn't got a Macari Centre and a Salvation Army 400 yards away from each other (who thought that one up 🤦), but there's no civic pride whatsoever by comparison. The Glebe is about the only place that makes a comparable effort. And that’s because you wouldn’t really notice if it was dirty outside. Agree with all that though if I may be serious for a moment( I know that really offends some on here so I’ve put a warning in)
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Post by prestwichpotter on Aug 1, 2024 23:16:55 GMT
Over here they just wait for someone else to do it but it never happens obviously because there is no pride left anymore It sounds daft but I see it the same as a contractor. If their van is a shit tip, it's a reflection on them and the likely attitude to delivering work for you. It's the same with eateries, bars etc if it looks a mess outside what's the state of the kitchen/cellar going to be? I was up in Holmfirth again last weekend and mar lady said you want to be there, it feels safe, it's clean, it's thriving. It isn't much bigger than Stoke town centre but it feels a million light years away. I suppose it hasn't got a Macari Centre and a Salvation Army 400 yards away from each other (who thought that one up 🤦), but there's no civic pride whatsoever by comparison. The Glebe is about the only place that makes a comparable effort. I went to the Quarter @ Potbank in Stoke last Saturday, it's connected to Spode. I have to confess I didn't know it existed, we had a cracking night to be fair there was live music on outside, and a massive room inside playing dance music (apparently you're meant to pay but they let us in). Really busy as well, surprising really as you'd drive past and not even know it was there......
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Aug 1, 2024 23:27:06 GMT
It sounds daft but I see it the same as a contractor. If their van is a shit tip, it's a reflection on them and the likely attitude to delivering work for you. It's the same with eateries, bars etc if it looks a mess outside what's the state of the kitchen/cellar going to be? I was up in Holmfirth again last weekend and mar lady said you want to be there, it feels safe, it's clean, it's thriving. It isn't much bigger than Stoke town centre but it feels a million light years away. I suppose it hasn't got a Macari Centre and a Salvation Army 400 yards away from each other (who thought that one up 🤦), but there's no civic pride whatsoever by comparison. The Glebe is about the only place that makes a comparable effort. I went to the Quarter @ Potbank in Stoke last Saturday, it's connected to Spode. I have to confess I didn't know it existed, we had a cracking night to be fair there was live music on outside, and a massive room inside playing dance music (apparently you're meant to pay but they let us in). Really busy as well, surprising really as you'd drive past and not even know it was there...... Most people that actually live in Stoke on Trent know it’s there
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Post by toppercorner on Aug 2, 2024 4:31:52 GMT
I went to the Quarter @ Potbank in Stoke last Saturday, it's connected to Spode. I have to confess I didn't know it existed, we had a cracking night to be fair there was live music on outside, and a massive room inside playing dance music (apparently you're meant to pay but they let us in). Really busy as well, surprising really as you'd drive past and not even know it was there...... Most people that actually live in Stoke on Trent know it’s there Actually Badger, you'd be very surprised to hear that a lot of people i speak to, have zero idea it's there. I've been quite a bit recently, and full kudos to the guy who runs it, putting his money where his mouth is, and planning for the future. There is again, a caveat, and I know i'm a broken record on this, and it probably riles people up, but i'm saying it in the hope it filters through ..... it comes down to taste levels. It's just off the mark. Theres an obsession in this city for bar owners to put all manner of crap signage, unfunny phrases, terrible art on the walls of their establishments. It's the depressing male equivalent of a 'live laugh love' sign. I think i remember it being mocked on Phoenix Nights and that was nearly a quarter of a century ago! In spode, where they do the northern soul Sundays, the space is amazing ... the decor is very much less so. All sparkly tat you'd buy on a market stall, meaningless signage and like being in a cheap brothel. Rip the cheap stuff off the walls, invest in photography, and new artists or vintage posters from art fairs and present them correctly (this is key), and make it cool, people will flock in. The older guys with the money, need to hand some of the design/taste to design agencies who have staff who know what works. Same with signage for bars/eateries in the area. There seems to be a consensus that bigger, brighter, flatter, more plastic than the others, awful designed frontage is the way to draw people in. Nothing is discreet or design led ina. complimentary way to the building. These things are very easy to remedy, but people are so incredibly offended in this town, when you tell them (even in a kind way), its like you've shot a member of their family.
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 2, 2024 6:06:27 GMT
It sounds daft but I see it the same as a contractor. If their van is a shit tip, it's a reflection on them and the likely attitude to delivering work for you. It's the same with eateries, bars etc if it looks a mess outside what's the state of the kitchen/cellar going to be? I was up in Holmfirth again last weekend and mar lady said you want to be there, it feels safe, it's clean, it's thriving. It isn't much bigger than Stoke town centre but it feels a million light years away. I suppose it hasn't got a Macari Centre and a Salvation Army 400 yards away from each other (who thought that one up 🤦), but there's no civic pride whatsoever by comparison. The Glebe is about the only place that makes a comparable effort. I went to the Quarter @ Potbank in Stoke last Saturday, it's connected to Spode. I have to confess I didn't know it existed, we had a cracking night to be fair there was live music on outside, and a massive room inside playing dance music (apparently you're meant to pay but they let us in). Really busy as well, surprising really as you'd drive past and not even know it was there...... The investment in that area is half the reason I believe Stoke needs to become the entertainment centre and Hanley the administrative centre. It's got better transport links, is walkable from them and houses the Student population. Hanley's a blot on a hill, it's had its time. It needs reinvention otherwise it'll never lose it's reputation or recover.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2024 6:23:15 GMT
All a good City centre needs is a centre piece attraction, a supporting shopping area and good transport links.
The centre piece could be a good theatre, arena, entertainment park or whatever.
The shopping area needs to match the centre piece.
The transport links need to be varied, with good bus and rail links and possibly a tram system if the road infrastructure can fit it in nicely.
Hanley has absolutely none of the above, so to resurrect it they need one of each. The rest like the supporting restaurants etc will follow.
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Post by lawrieleslie on Aug 2, 2024 7:21:58 GMT
Couldn’t help thinking the headline should read….."Stoke on Trent City Council intends to develop a plan to drive "real generation" up ‘anlee duck"
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Post by Northy on Aug 2, 2024 8:15:41 GMT
Over here they just wait for someone else to do it but it never happens obviously because there is no pride left anymore It sounds daft but I see it the same as a contractor. If their van is a shit tip, it's a reflection on them and the likely attitude to delivering work for you. It's the same with eateries, bars etc if it looks a mess outside what's the state of the kitchen/cellar going to be? I was up in Holmfirth again last weekend and mar lady said you want to be there, it feels safe, it's clean, it's thriving. It isn't much bigger than Stoke town centre but it feels a million light years away. I suppose it hasn't got a Macari Centre and a Salvation Army 400 yards away from each other (who thought that one up 🤦), but there's no civic pride whatsoever by comparison. The Glebe is about the only place that makes a comparable effort. I was near Udine in Italy last week and went for an early morning run, the local shop keepers and cafes etc were sweeping the already almost immaculately clean streets outside their very clean shop fronts.
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Post by Veritas on Aug 2, 2024 9:02:53 GMT
All a good City centre needs is a centre piece attraction, a supporting shopping area and good transport links. The centre piece could be a good theatre, arena, entertainment park or whatever. The shopping area needs to match the centre piece. The transport links need to be varied, with good bus and rail links and possibly a tram system if the road infrastructure can fit it in nicely. Hanley has absolutely none of the above, so to resurrect it they need one of each. The rest like the supporting restaurants etc will follow. Hanley, aka the city centre, has huge problems but we do have a good theatre which I think shows you need more than just a single attraction to act as a focal point.
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Post by PotteringThrough on Aug 2, 2024 10:32:17 GMT
The council should put together a bid to be a center for the green energy movement that Labour is desperate to make a reality. There are so many large, unused factories around Stoke. Repurpose them. Hire local and give something back to a city that has been long forgotten for a change. Labour have an opportunity with Stoke to show before and after photos of real change. It would be such a clever marketing tool for re-election. We’ve got such a good base for something like this. Stoke College is well placed to teach trade like courses relating to manufacturing. Keele University Science & Innovation Park is also well plced to support investment and start up businesses. Get those buildings back in use through cutting business rates for an initial period and supporting investment.
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 2, 2024 12:14:05 GMT
Pipe dreams I'm afraid. The failed district heat network isn't a good advert for innovation in the energy sector.
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Post by toppercorner on Sept 13, 2024 16:15:32 GMT
went to the Little Dumpling King in Hanley this week.
very good for the price! It's up to us, the public, to support these local and small businesses. I know everyone says Hanley is a 'ghost town', but there's only one way of changing that, and it's down to the residents of the city.
I appreciate during this cost of living crisis, that money is tight for a lot of people, but those who can afford too, will enjoy it.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Sept 13, 2024 19:18:37 GMT
went to the Little Dumpling King in Hanley this week. very good for the price! It's up to us, the public, to support these local and small businesses. I know everyone says Hanley is a 'ghost town', but there's only one way of changing that, and it's down to the residents of the city. I appreciate during this cost of living crisis, that money is tight for a lot of people, but those who can afford too, will enjoy it. Looks and sounds superb. Can’t wait to go there. Good on em
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Post by JoeinOz on Sept 13, 2024 20:34:55 GMT
went to the Little Dumpling King in Hanley this week. very good for the price! It's up to us, the public, to support these local and small businesses. I know everyone says Hanley is a 'ghost town', but there's only one way of changing that, and it's down to the residents of the city. I appreciate during this cost of living crisis, that money is tight for a lot of people, but those who can afford too, will enjoy it. I went there. It's good. Chester City flag up.
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Post by RF10 on Sept 13, 2024 21:15:18 GMT
went to the Little Dumpling King in Hanley this week. very good for the price! It's up to us, the public, to support these local and small businesses. I know everyone says Hanley is a 'ghost town', but there's only one way of changing that, and it's down to the residents of the city. I appreciate during this cost of living crisis, that money is tight for a lot of people, but those who can afford too, will enjoy it. Looks and sounds superb. Can’t wait to go there. Good on em It really is superb. I can not talk highly enough of the place.
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Post by mutters on Sept 15, 2024 15:13:25 GMT
He's from Chester I understand, I think his brother is on coaching staff at Chester City, hence the flag.
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Post by milton58 on Sept 15, 2024 16:01:36 GMT
Anyone tried the Moroccan cafe in longton yea longton...if you are in longton for monkey dust or stopping in the crown try this place...bob on
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Post by misterj on Sept 15, 2024 16:31:14 GMT
1) Re-purpose half the centre away from retail and into leisure, entertainment, music, coffee shops properly policed/supervised (2) increase population of Hanley which tbf is already planned/commenced (3) get our local billionaires to help out in the interests of furthering the legacy attached to their names: Caudwell & Coates? (4) get in on something which is progressive and forward-thinking …. Perhaps tech, energy or environmental-related?
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Post by elystokie on Sept 15, 2024 17:13:29 GMT
1) Re-purpose half the centre away from retail and into leisure, entertainment, music, coffee shops properly policed/supervised (2) increase population of Hanley which tbf is already planned/commenced (3) get our local billionaires to help out in the interests of furthering the legacy attached to their names: Caudwell & Coates? (4) get in on something which is progressive and forward-thinking …. Perhaps tech, energy or environmental-related? All good points. Bet365 have surely been approached to sponsor the building of the arena? Or are gambling companies not allowed? 🤔
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Post by lordb on Sept 15, 2024 18:43:26 GMT
1) Re-purpose half the centre away from retail and into leisure, entertainment, music, coffee shops properly policed/supervised (2) increase population of Hanley which tbf is already planned/commenced (3) get our local billionaires to help out in the interests of furthering the legacy attached to their names: Caudwell & Coates? (4) get in on something which is progressive and forward-thinking …. Perhaps tech, energy or environmental-related? All good points. Bet365 have surely been approached to sponsor the building of the arena? Or are gambling companies not allowed? 🤔 The arena has been canned hasn't it?
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Sept 15, 2024 18:46:36 GMT
All good points. Bet365 have surely been approached to sponsor the building of the arena? Or are gambling companies not allowed? 🤔 The arena has been canned hasn't it? The original plans have.
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Post by elystokie on Sept 15, 2024 18:50:46 GMT
All good points. Bet365 have surely been approached to sponsor the building of the arena? Or are gambling companies not allowed? 🤔 The arena has been canned hasn't it? I thought it was because they couldn't find an investor 🤔 I doubt even our council are that wank they've ignored one of the biggest employers and wealthiest companies in the area, they've probably sent a crack negotiation team to approach them with a plan...
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Post by lordb on Sept 15, 2024 19:42:15 GMT
The arena has been canned hasn't it? I thought it was because they couldn't find an investor 🤔 I doubt even our council are that wank they've ignored one of the biggest employers and wealthiest companies in the area, they've probably sent a crack negotiation team to approach them with a plan... I think way too much emphasis is placed on City Council when discussing the future,the council simply does not have the money for such a project or any project that costs more than a car park We have as centralised state as it gets , that's where it's decided money is spent and it's literally never decided to spend significant money here I thought the Tories having won seats here might just might decide to throw some money at the city in an attempt to keep the seats but that proved to be wishful thinking Until we have some political clout,even a little,we will never get investment And as for the private sector,fat chance
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Post by elystokie on Sept 15, 2024 19:46:31 GMT
I thought it was because they couldn't find an investor 🤔 I doubt even our council are that wank they've ignored one of the biggest employers and wealthiest companies in the area, they've probably sent a crack negotiation team to approach them with a plan... I think way too much emphasis is placed on City Council when discussing the future,the council simply does not have the money for such a project or any project that costs more than a car park We have as centralised state as it gets , that's where it's decided money is spent and it's literally never decided to spend significant money here I thought the Tories having won seats here might just might decide to throw some money at the city in an attempt to keep the seats but that proved to be wishful thinking Until we have some political clout,even a little,we will never get investment And as for the private sector,fat chance That's why I suggested they must have approached someone with lots of money. They could have done something with the site in the meantime with a bit of inventive thinking that needn't cost much or anything.
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Post by lordb on Sept 15, 2024 19:48:40 GMT
I think way too much emphasis is placed on City Council when discussing the future,the council simply does not have the money for such a project or any project that costs more than a car park We have as centralised state as it gets , that's where it's decided money is spent and it's literally never decided to spend significant money here I thought the Tories having won seats here might just might decide to throw some money at the city in an attempt to keep the seats but that proved to be wishful thinking Until we have some political clout,even a little,we will never get investment And as for the private sector,fat chance That's why I suggested they must have approached someone with lots of money. They could have done something with the site in the meantime with a bit of inventive thinking that needn't cost much or anything. You reckon?
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Post by mickeythemaestro on Sept 15, 2024 20:13:03 GMT
I thought it was because they couldn't find an investor 🤔 I doubt even our council are that wank they've ignored one of the biggest employers and wealthiest companies in the area, they've probably sent a crack negotiation team to approach them with a plan... I think way too much emphasis is placed on City Council when discussing the future,the council simply does not have the money for such a project or any project that costs more than a car park We have as centralised state as it gets , that's where it's decided money is spent and it's literally never decided to spend significant money here I thought the Tories having won seats here might just might decide to throw some money at the city in an attempt to keep the seats but that proved to be wishful thinking Until we have some political clout,even a little,we will never get investment And as for the private sector,fat chance This is one of those areas where the public sector has to create the environment for the private sector to invest. Read about Howard Bernstein and Manchester Council. And this is the problem with Stoke. The council is mostly populated by fucking idiots who have no fucking idea whatsoever how to promote investment into stoke other than copycat bullshit cliché nonsense. I once worked for a company who were assessing their budgets for land investment. It was st Helens or stoke for a potential 100m land buying spree. St Helens won. And you know why. Cos when I dragged my Managing director down to a meeting to meet the head of estates in stoke. The fucker sent a lacky and didn't turn up. We walked 5 mins into the meeting. Embarrassing and caused me a load of shit on top. The problem is the council. And potentially their involvement with a certain development company in Stoke 🤔
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Post by elystokie on Sept 15, 2024 20:27:32 GMT
That's why I suggested they must have approached someone with lots of money. They could have done something with the site in the meantime with a bit of inventive thinking that needn't cost much or anything. You reckon? Why not?
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