Stoke-on-Trent BID Operation Sparkle Initiative Returns!

PRESS RELEASE

Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID calls for volunteers to assist in major City Centre clean up weekend.

The Big Spring Clean forms part of the Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID’s ongoing Operation Sparkle initiative, working in partnership with the Stoke-on-Trent City Council & The Potteries Centre to ensure the City Centre maintains a quality environment that will attract shoppers and visitors whilst increasing footfall. 

This year’s Big Spring Clean weekend will take place Friday 14  - Saturday 15 April 2023 and the BID is appealing to all local businesses, residents & the community to take part. Tasks across the weekend include graffiti removal, litter picking and general cleaning of target areas throughout the City Centre that the BID has identified requires attention. The BID will also provide all equipment along with refreshments and lunch for any volunteers who are keen to contribute.

As part of Operation Sparkle, which will see various improvements across Stoke-On-Trent City Centre, this is an opportunity to get together with others who are also passionate about our community and make a difference. That’s why the BID is pleased to continue with their major initiative Operation Sparkle, an all-important project to considerably improve the look and feel of the City Centre.

The BID Introduced Operation Sparkle in March 2021 with the aim to ensure the City Centre maintains a quality environment that will attract shoppers and visitors & increase footfall. 

BID Manager, Richard Buxton commented:
 

"After the success of Operation Sparkle in 2021 and 2022, we look forward to further improving our City Centre throughout 2023. Working with our key partners, Stoke-on-Trent City Council & The Potteries Centre, we have a programme of actions that will give our visitors and businesses alike a City Centre to be proud of. Everyone can get involved in our Big Spring Clean weekend in May and we will continue to deliver the City Centre we all deserve." 

The BID has identified new areas of improvement for 2023 and is working closely 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?

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.”
 

Just a small selection of some of the major Operation Sparkle tasks that are being undertaken during 2023 by the BID alongside key partners include: 

• Operation Sparkle Weekend where business, their staff and the public are invited to do their bit for the community and help clean up to improve their City Centre

• Planters and benches to be added to parliament square creating a more welcoming space for visitors

• Road repairs, building work and planters introduced on Stafford Street, which will hugely improve the area creating a safer cleaner environment.

• Hanging baskets & planters to be installed across several areas within the City Centre, including Piccadilly, Cheapside, Parliament Square & around the indoor market

• City Centre litter picking across various areas throughout the City Centre during Operation Sparkle Weekend

• Installation of ‘ballot bins’ for cigarette butts throughout the city centre

• Improvement works on Hope Street, including frontage rejuvenation

• New pieces of artwork to be introduced across the City Centre

• Removal of damaged fascias and overgrowth on Harvey's Building, Parliament Square.

The Potteries Centre environmental services team were out in force during last year’s Operation Sparkle weekend.
Amy Whittaker, General Manager of the Potteries Centre Added:
 

“We’re pleased to have had the opportunity to support Stoke-on-Trent BID’s Operation Sparkle back in 2021 & 2022. There was a fantastic atmosphere as we all rolled up our sleeves to give Stoke a big spring clean.

 We are excited to be taking part in the project again this year.  We are proud to play our part in making our great City Centre the best it can be and look forward to seeing many Stokies getting involved again and making it a real team effort. 

 

“It is important for us all to consider the part we have to play in keeping the City Centre a clean and welcoming environment for everyone.” 

For more information regarding Operation Sparkle and how to volunteer during ‘The Big Spring Clean’ weekend please visit our dedicated Operation Sparkle webpage here or get in touch with us at hello@stokeontrentbid.co.uk