Stoke-on-Trent has long been a city with untapped potential, and its most ambitious regeneration scheme to date is beginning to prove what’s possible. Goods Yard, the £60 million flagship development by social impact developer Capital&Centric, is not only reshaping the city skyline but also rewriting the story of urban living in the Potteries.
A Neighbourhood in High Demand
Since opening its doors, the 175-apartment scheme has seen demand surge. More than 115 homes have already been let, and close to 200 residents are now settling into life at Goods Yard. This rapid take-up is well ahead of schedule, with full occupancy expected before the year is out — a clear signal of the appetite for design-led rental homes in a city that has historically lacked such options.
The resident mix is diverse, from young professionals and students to couples and families, and even a healthy number of dogs and cats. Together, they are shaping the beginnings of a new community — one where social spaces like the café-bar, mini cinema, and on-site gym have quickly become touchpoints for everyday life.
Placemaking at the Core
Goods Yard’s success lies in more than its apartments. It’s about placemaking on a grand scale. The ground-floor commercial units are set to welcome a new wave of independent food and drink operators, while the landscaped public gardens and planned pedestrian link to the railway station will stitch the development directly into Stoke’s urban fabric.
Tom Wilmot, Joint Managing Director at Capital&Centric, describes Goods Yard as a “game-changer” for the city:
“We always knew this project would be transformative, but the demand has exceeded even our expectations. What excites us most is not just the occupancy rate but the sense of community already forming — neighbours becoming friends, couples meeting, and residents feeling proud to call Stoke their home.”
Raising the Bar for Stoke
For Ollo, the operator managing the rental homes, the project is a chance to prove what high-quality living in Stoke can look like. Head of Community Liz Kenworthy says visitors are often surprised by the size, specification, and social offer of the apartments:
“There’s a real buzz here. The gym, the cinema, the social spaces — they’re not just add-ons, they’re part of everyday life for residents. It’s setting a new standard, and people are noticing.”
A Catalyst for Regeneration
Goods Yard is more than a residential success story; it’s a catalyst. By transforming a once-derelict industrial site into a thriving urban quarter, it signals Stoke-on-Trent’s ambitions to reinvent itself as a city of choice for both living and investment.
As the development reaches maturity later this year, with homes fully occupied and new commercial operators opening their doors, Goods Yard will stand as a blueprint for how thoughtful regeneration can change perceptions, attract new energy, and put a city firmly back on the map.
