Today’s urban adventure took me through a city that feels, in many ways, left behind.

As proud as I am of my Potteries heritage, as I rode around Stoke-on-Trent today it was difficult to witness the slow fading of our city and its once-famous past. This was a city that stood at the very centre of global ceramics – a place where innovation, craftsmanship, and industry shaped not only local identity but international reputation. Today, much of that legacy exists in silence.

Buildings that once echoed with the sounds of production and the energy of skilled, passionate workers now sit empty. Former factories, warehouses, and workshops stand as reminders of what was – a powerful industrial heartbeat now reduced to all but stillness. The physical decline mirrors a wider story shared by many post-industrial cities across the UK: decades of neglect, underinvestment, and missed opportunity.

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Yet despite this, I remain hopeful. Stoke-on-Trent is rich in potential. These abandoned spaces are not beyond saving – they are waiting to be reimagined.

Places like Middleport Pottery and Gladstone Pottery Museum continue to play a vital role in preserving the city’s industrial heritage, ensuring that the story of the Potteries is not forgotten.

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Meanwhile, organisations such as Capital & Centric are already leading the way, delivering multiple regeneration projects across Stoke and the surrounding areas. The challenge, however, lies in scale. Without sustained, large-scale investment, it’s hard not to question whether regeneration can truly keep pace with decline. Preservation alone is not enough; these spaces need purpose, people, and long-term commitment.

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Like many industrial cities, Stoke has endured a long and difficult journey. But my aim is to seek out the green shoots of renewal and to champion the individuals, organisations, and communities who are actively working to support future growth.

I’d love to hear your stories. Whether here in Stoke-on-Trent or further afield, where have you seen positive investment transform once-thriving industrial buildings or neglected areas into something meaningful again?

Let’s share the places where renewal is not just possible – but already happening.