Positive City Centre Success Is Recognised

Stoke-on-Trent city centre businesses & organisations have been recognised for
their impact on the high street, teams, community and business as finalists in the
University of Staffordshire Business Awards 2025. This fantastic representation of
the city centre is testament to continued hard work and commitment to making a
positive difference at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent.

Keep It Local have been recognised for their innovative approach to high street
retail as finalists in the High Street Impact award for the UK’s first Creative
Department Store in The Potteries Centre, Hanley. This store now has a permanent
home in the shopping centre and supports 100s of local makers and artists along
the way and is now the founder store for more opening up around the UK.

Zack & Jack from Chameleon in the city centre have been recognised for their
entrepreneurial approach as finalists in the Start-Up of the Year category. After
reopening a disused space in the heart of Hanley as a welcoming, inclusive bar with
community at its heart, they are committed to making a difference to how visitors
experience ‘bar life’ in the city with a vision to make it a multi use space for all.

Stoke Creates, Stoke-on-Trent’s Cultural Compact organisation has been
recognised as finalists in the Team of the Year award for their dedication to
collaborative working and innovative delivery of events and experiences in the city,
particularly the People’s Parade which included 100s of contributors from across
the city in celebration of the Centenary earlier this Summer.

Finally the BCB, British Ceramics Biennial, have been selected as finalists for the
Business in the Community award for their commitment to innovative ceramics
practice that improves lives together with artists and creative communities. The
biennial returns later this year and BCB are looking for volunteers to get involved.

Richard Buxton, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID CEO said, ‘Recognition for these
amazing nominees is well deserved for their entrepreneurship and hard work. The
fact that these particular nominees operate from our City Centre further enhances
my view that we are moving in the right direction as a place to do business and
succeed.’

For more information, contact: emily@simplygreatbritain.co.uk or call 07736 414425