Stoke improvements detailed to chamber members

STOKE-on-Trent City Council has pledged to provide more support for city businesses, change attitudes towards the city and create more opportunities for investment.

The pledge will be underlined when the council’s chief executive, John van de Laarschot, addresses business leaders at a function in the city.

Representatives from leading firms including Michelin, Dudsons, NatWest and E.ON Energy Solutions will be attending the business lunch on Friday, which is organised by North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and hosted by the city council.

The council believes its Mandate for Change will be the blueprint for creating the improvements and one which will lead to further enhancements later this year.

The event will also be an opportunity for the council to update on major regeneration projects such as the £350m City Sentral shopping complex, the city’s new office-led Central Business District and the new national Centre for Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE).

The Mandate for Change was launched last summer and details how the city is to move forward.

Its four key aims are: to create new business; support existing businesses; promote independence and healthy lives; and make Stoke-on-Trent a better place to live.

Cllr Mark Meredith, cabinet member for economic development, said: “As part of the Mandate for Change the city council is committed to supporting existing businesses to grow as well as supporting people looking to bring new business to the city and invest.

“The red carpet approach that is being delivered by the inward investment team is fundamental to these aims. This event will help to update local business leaders on our recent achievements as well as providing the opportunity to discuss the changes happening this year.”