Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID introduces a major initiative to help clean up and brighten the City Centre

As residents, visitors and people who work in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre, we’re all affected by the state of our local environment. That’s why the BID is pleased to announce Operation Sparkle, an all-important project to considerably improve our city centre.

The BID has identified areas of improvement required and is working with the local authority and city centre businesses to help clean up the trading environment.

Julie Davies, County Business Crime Partnership Manager PABCIS – Partnerships Against Business Crime in Staffordshire and Lead Director for Place Management, one of the key three priorities for the Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, is championing Operation Sparkle and stresses the importance of working together to achieve a city centre we all deserve:

“We all need to play our part in maintaining or improving our city centre’s standard. A clean, healthy environment is good for our city centre and our local economy. It plays an important role in improving our wellbeing and it helps our businesses to be more successful – after all, wouldn’t you prefer to shop, dine, and be entertained in tidy, gleaming surroundings?

“Eliminating litter and waste on our streets is an important part of this. Rubbish on our streets is a sign that people do not respect their local environment and it leads people to feel less safe in their communities.

It is important that all parties understand the significance of doing 'their bit' and working together towards one common goal. We expect all businesses to take personal responsibility for their surroundings whilst the BID will take on tasks that do not fall under either the local authority or a business's remit in the aim to clean up and improve our trading environment. Together we can make a HUGE difference – but we do need EVERYONE’S support to make this a success and that includes anyone venturing into the area who we ask to be mindful and to bin their rubbish or take it home with them.”

Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID Manager Richard Buxton added:

“The BID is supporting city centre businesses in doing their bit for Operation Sparkle by issuing helpful guidance which suggests simple tasks to be completed daily, weekly and monthly to make shop frontages gleam.

The BID will provide equipment where required to ensure businesses can carry out tasks with as much ease as possible and our Street Ambassadors will continue to visit and support them in any way they can.”

Just a small selection of some of the major Operation Sparkle tasks that are being undertaken by the BID alongside key partners include:

• Cleaning of the Blue Clock plus repair and renovation 
• Restoration of Bethesda Gardens
• Replanting and tidying of planted areas bordering The Potteries Centre and Hanley Market to add colour to our city centre
• Improvement of four seating areas with the addition of new benches, new refuse bins, a sculpture and planters, with one of the areas set to become a "Peace Garden"
• Vast improvement to Clough Street via graffiti removal and the implementation of attractive artwork
• Adding to the successful ‘Our Front Door’ project to improve graffiti hotspots in 10-15 doors, telephone boxes or electricity boxes with new trail maps to be created for the public

In addition, a problem area has been identified along Etruria Road, but with the support of neighbouring business Tesco, the BID is set to clear the rubbish and overgrowth and instead replace it with an abundance of wild flowers to bring vibrancy and a renewed quality to the area.

Nathan Dowding, General Manager of Tesco is pleased to back the BID and its major clean-up project:

“As a business within the City Centre, we recognise that we have a part to play in keeping the area clean. This is a fantastic initiative that provides a real opportunity for people to be part of the positive changes that so many people desire.

“We all have grumbles about litter and unkempt areas, but here’s the chance to do something about that and have some pride in the city which so many of us call home.

“People may complain that “it’s not their job”, but at a time where there is worldwide concern about lessening our environmental impact, it really does fall on everyone’s shoulders to make reducing litter and anything harmful to our surroundings a key priority.”

Cllr Carl Edwards, cabinet member for housing and environment, said:

“The city council is committed to improving people’s experience of the city centre. The area has seen a lot of positive developments and investment in recent years, such as the emergence of Piccadilly with its fantastic independent traders, a new Hilton Garden Inn hotel and the opening of Clayworks apartments, so there’s plenty to celebrate and build on.  It’s really pleasing to see local businesses taking pride in the area and we’re very keen to work with them to create a city centre that is welcoming and attractive for shoppers, visitors and businesses.”

Business leaders including Josef Bailey, owner of The Quarter on Piccadilly and BID Director representing Independents, is backing the campaign.

“Although a small act, picking up litter and taking on minor tasks such as giving business frontages a lick of paint and cleaning windows will go such a long way in improving perceptions of the city and in turn, will bring benefits such as attracting more business to the area and increased footfall” says Josef.

“The Quarter are supporting this initiative and are getting started right away, as should all other businesses in the City Centre as corporate social responsibility is imperative and we all have a duty to look after the environment around us.”