Stoke-on-Trent

:This page is about Stoke-on-Trent in England. For other places called Stoke or for other uses of that word please see Stoke (disambiguation).

Economy

North Staffordshire is a world centre for fine ceramics - a skilled design trade established in the city since at least the 12th Century.

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In the late 1980s & 1990s Stoke-on-Trent was hit hard by the general decline in the British manufacturing sector. Numerous factories, steelworks, mines, and potteries were closed, including the renowned Shelton Bar steelworks. This resulted in a sharp rise in unemployment in the 'high-skilled but low-paid' workforce. However, at Q2 2004 the unemployment rate had recovered to almost the same as in the wider West Midlands. The city's present employment levels are currently stable and likely to grow from 2004 to 2008, according to a detailed 2003 study by Experian Business Strategies. About 9000 firms are based in the city.

Related Topics:
Shelton Bar - West Midlands

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At 2004, the fortunes of the city finally seem on the brink of changing rapidly, with the city starting to shrug off its undeserved image of industrial decay. Numerous service-sector & logistics companies have established themselves, and new business parks are bringing fresh economic life to the city. The old mass-production pottery companies are now far fewer, but small high-value craft & heritage pottery producers are thriving.

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KPMG's 'Competitive Alternatives 2004' report declared Stoke-on-Trent to be the most cost-effective place to set up a new UK business. The city currently has the advantage of offering very affordable business property - while being surrounded by a belt of extremely affluent areas (The Peak District, Stone, South Cheshire, Newcastle-under-Lyme) and having excellent road links via the A500 and nearby M6.

Related Topics:
A500 - M6

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The city's housing market boomed in 2004, with terraced houses rising at an average of £700 a week. From April to June 2005, an average Stoke-on-Trent terraced house rose in price at over £500 a week (source: H.M. Land Registry).

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Around five million tourists visit Stoke each year, directly supporting around 4,400 jobs. Stoke-on-Trent shows its popularity through the number of repeat visits; around 80 percent of visitors have previously visited. Tourism to the city was kick-started by the National Garden Festival in 1986, and is now sustained by the many pottery factory-shops/tours and by the improved canal network.

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A 2003/4 mapping study found 1000 active creative businesses & artists based within a ten mile radius of the city. The survey did not include the thousands of ceramics companies.

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Stoke-on-Trent offers good rail access to nearby cities & London (90 minutes by train). It is on the major West Coast Main Line rail route and there is a large inter-city rail station with a first-class lounge and wi-fi service. Nearest international airports are Manchester Airport and Birmingham International, with direct train services to both.

Related Topics:
West Coast Main Line - Manchester Airport - Birmingham International

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The University Hospital of North Staffordshire is a major local employer, as are the area's three universities.

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