As a passionate local business at the heart of our community, we’ve documented the continual rise of The Potteries with a devout passion for many years now. And as a place on the up, we often ask ourselves the question: in addition to all of the wonderful things that are presently in progress, how could Stoke-on-Trent and its surrounding areas firmly cement itself as a destination of the future?
Interestingly enough, Mr Mo Chaudry, prolific entrepreneur and owner of both MClub and WaterWorld, offered an interesting, thought-provoking and highly-inspirational take on Stoke-on-Trent’s future with some thoughts that he recently shared on The Sentinel.
To summarise, Mr Chaudry feels that the city will benefit, greatly, from a large scale indoor arena that has the capacity and capabilities to host big-name touring musical acts as well as notable sporting spectacles - and we agree.
In his article, Mr Chaudry highlighted the importance of shifting away from traditional retail and moving more into the world of entertainment:
“Retail is dead and buried, so why don’t we think outside the box and come up with a plan that reflects the modern world in which we live? One that asks, and provides, what people really want from their city centre.”
In a time where more and more people, youngsters of the millennial and Gen Z demographic in particular, are looking to spend their disposable income on experiences rather than tangible items - there’s never been a better time for The Potteries to develop an impressive, multi-purpose concert arena.
Much like Manchester and Birmingham some time ago, Stoke-on-Trent is a city on the up, with improving cultural initiatives, infrastructure and community projects, as well as an ever-growing roster of bars, pubs and restaurants. And like Manchester and Birmingham, the noteworthy arena is the final piece of the puzzle that will put this place on the map for all to see.
By muscling out any third-party intervention and developing an arena, autonomously, the city can take charge of its destiny and place itself on a cultural and commercial playing field on which it has always been destined to thrive.
Here is a word from our founder, Bill Rockett, on the subject:
“Live music never gets old and everyone loves seeing a good band.
In turn, this would bring people in to stay at hotels and eat in restaurants in the city. The venue would have to be a striking and original building, thereby putting Stoke on the map. If it was a killer venue, bands would be fighting to play there..."
With the infrastructure, space and current buildings that Stoke-on-Trent currently boasts, the scope to make a mega arena a roaring success is huge, and it would cement a bright future for the city - one where everybody benefits, from the small business owner to the student, to the landlord, to the man or woman on the street.
Let’s make it happen.
Do you want to support The Potteries? Here are seven reasons that you should buy local.