Launch of new enterprise centre celebrated

Press release from English Partnerships - 5 June 2006

A new enterprise centre is to open at Chatterley Whitfield as the first part of renovation works at the historic former colliery are completed.

A celebration is being held at Chatterley Whitfield on 9 June for invited guests to mark the job creation project and the end of phase 1a of works at the site.

Photographers and reporters are welcome from 1pm for a photocall and interviews. The official launch will begin at 2pm.

Former Chatterley Whitfield coal miner Sid Boulton will hand the keys to the first new tenant of the Business Innovation Centre at the celebration event.

The work has been funded by national regeneration agency English Partnerships through the National Coalfields Programme and the European Union.

Improvements include a new roundabout and remodelled access road off Biddulph Road and the renovation of historic buildings to create 14 enterprise units.

The transformation of three historic buildings into enterprise units has taken into account the historic context and importance of the site while producing practical and attractive work spaces.

Tenants will be able to enjoy a high quality, flexible environment served by a staffed reception, meeting rooms and a self service canteen.

The new facilities will be managed in a partnership between the city council and the Business Innovation Centre Staffordshire.

Chatterley Whitfield is the most complete historic colliery site in the UK and an important part of the country’s industrial heritage.

The Chatterley Whitfield Partnership involving Stoke-on-Trent City Council, English Partnerships, English Heritage, North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone, Stoke-on-Trent North MP Joan Walley and the Friends of Chatterley Whitfield have worked together to transform the colliery from a state of near decay into a major asset for the local community.

The celebration will be attended by the Elected Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Mark Meredith, the chairman of English Heritage Sir Neil Cossons, Joan Walley, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North and Neil Mortimer, Head of Coalfields for English Partnerships.

Mayor Meredith said, “I am delighted to be able to celebrate the success of the Chatterley Whitfield Partnership. But this is only the beginning, there is a lot more to come in regenerating this site.

“Chatterley Whitfield was a very important part of this city’s industrial heritage and the work which is going ahead here will ensure it has a place in the future success of the north Staffordshire economy.”