High Street Impact Award 2026
Category criteria
- This category will recognise any business, team or individual that can demonstrate a significant positive impact in making their city centre or local high street more vibrant, welcoming or sustainable.
- The judges will recognise and reward initiatives to create high street jobs, attract local residents and visitors, revitalise the public realm, or help with profile raising.
- The judges will also look for impactful measures which have helped high streets to become clean, green, mixed-used spaces.
PABCIS
High Street Impact entrant
PABCIS – aka Partnerships Against Business Crime in Staffordshire - was born out of the UK’s first ever crime partnership and radio link which was set up in Stoke-on-Trent city centre in 1988.
PABCIS has been leading the way on gold standard compliance, innovation and city centre partnerships across Britain ever since, initiating best practice initiatives and shaping national policy and governance.
Providing guidance, support and technology, PABCIS’s work in Stoke-on-Trent city centre and across Staffordshire, is instrumental in making city centres and high streets safe places to work, visit and invest.
Through innovative partnership working, creating a crucial link between police, courts and both the business and wider community, PABCIS provides a significant positive impact that builds high street confidence, creates more welcoming spaces and helps grow the profile of high streets across the city and county.
Founded by Julie Davies OBE, based at Hanley’s old Littlewoods store, who then went on to a board member for the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships), PABCIS has always been underpinned by strong partnerships and innovative adoption of technology and approach.
Based in police stations across Staffordshire, PABCIS builds the bridge between civilian intelligence about crime and anti-social behaviour on the high street, police intervention and court action.
Over the last 12 months PABCIS in Stoke-on-Trent city centre has leveraged its unique funding model with Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, which pay for PABCIS membership for all businesses in the city centre, to maximise its positive impact on crime prevention.
City centre membership has grown from 64 to 145 and gives members access to intelligence about repeat perpetrators of anti-social behaviour, theft and other crime, as well as a safe and efficient way to share their own information securely and in real time.
The funding model ensures that no business is left unsupported by the PABCIS team and helps combat both the realities of high street crime and any negative perceptions of those behaviours to potential visitors and customers. Through the use of a secure, invitation only app,business owners are able to share vital information about individuals who are committing crime or causing a nuisance on the high street that might impact business, safety or how welcoming the high street might feel.
The work of PABCIS and its partnerships in Stoke-on-Trent city centre has led to the creation of a new policing post in the city centre from June 2026.
PABCIS has worked out of the city centre police station for many years and this close working relationship has helped bring about this new key role and visible police presence for the high street. The new officer will be exclusively posted in the city centre and won’t be called away to take part in other policing activities. With the sole purpose of creating confidence and a new day to day contact between business and crime prevention, the new officer will be able to build on the work of PABCIS by growing the confidence of all high street users.
PABCIS has entered the High Street Impact category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Urban Wilderness CIC
High Street Impact nominee
Urban Wilderness is a community interest company based in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, with a mission to bring joy, connection and creativity to the people and places it works with.
Through a combination of large-scale cultural events, environmental interventions and ongoing community engagement, the organisation is actively transforming Longton’s high street into a more vibrant, inclusive and sustainable place.
At the centre of its impact is the delivery of Longton Carnival and the Pig Walk Parade, now established as flagship events within the town. These large-scale, community-led celebrations attract tens of thousands of visitors to Longton each year, significantly increasing footfall and bringing energy, visibility and positive attention back to the high street.
The Pig Walk Parade is rooted in Longton’s unique heritage, inspired by the story of former Mayor John Aynsley, who famously won a bet by walking a pig from Trentham to Longton. As a result, land was gifted for Queen’s Park, creating a lasting legacy for the town. Urban Wilderness CIC, which was established in 2018, has reimagined this story as a contemporary cultural event, celebrating local identity while engaging new audiences.
By connecting heritage with modern placemaking, these events do more than entertain, they strengthen community pride and belonging while drawing significant audiences into the town centre. This increased footfall supports local businesses, boosts dwell time, and helps reposition Longton as a destination.
Urban Wilderness CIC’s work extends beyond events. Its programme of artist-led commissions and interventions, including projects such as Wastelands and The Happenings, explores green space, land use and climate adaptation. These initiatives transform underused and overlooked spaces into engaging, accessible environments, contributing to a cleaner, greener, and more welcoming high street.
A key element of this approach is The Moony Club, a creative community hub based within a repurposed retail unit in Longton Exchange. This space hosts a regular programme of free, accessible activity including workshops, artist talks, film screenings and wellbeing sessions. Initiatives such as Feminist Film Club, Photo Club, Art Club for young people and Teen Squad provide opportunities for skills development, creative expression and social connection.
Work with children and young people is a particularly important part of Urban Wilderness CIC’s impact. Through regular creative sessions, workshops and youth focused programmes, young people are given access to opportunities that build confidence, develop skills and encourage self-expression.
These initiatives provide safe, inclusive spaces where young people can engage positively with their environment, supporting both wellbeing and future pathways into creative industries.
Urban Wilderness has taken on a lease of a prominent heritage building, The Bank, at the gateway to Longton town centre within the Conservation Area. Previously vacant, vandalised and at risk, the building is being transformed into a permanent Creative Community Hub for Longton and the wider south of Stoke-on-Trent. The project will restore the historic banking hall, improve accessibility through step free access, lift installation, inclusive facilities, and create space for artist studios, community meeting rooms and cultural programming.
This will provide a long-term home for creative activity, expand opportunities for local people and young people and further increase footfall by establishing a permanent, year-round destination within the high street.
The long-term ambition is to bring the building into community ownership, securing a sustainable future for culture in Longton. This consistent, year-round programme ensures that Urban Wilderness CIC’s impact is not limited to one-off events but embedded within the everyday life of the high street.
Urban Wilderness CIC has been nominated in the High Street Impact category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
The QUARTER at Potbank
High Street Impact entrant
A food and events business based on a site that’s about to have a multi-million-pound regeneration is successfully combining heritage, innovation and community impact.
The Quarter at Potbank, based on the Spode site in Stoke, will celebrate its sixth anniversary in September.
Owners Annmarie and Josef Bailey are constantly innovating and looking to expand their offer, including a current increased focus on weddings and staging larger events.
Since its inception the business has transformed the local high street by blending heritage preservation with contemporary hospitality, fostering community engagement and stimulating economic growth.
The venue’s distinctive character attracts both locals and tourists, contributing to the area’s cultural renaissance.
By day The QUARTER serves homemade meals in a family-friendly café setting. By night it transforms into a vibrant restaurant. This dual identity not only broadens its appeal but also encourages repeat visits, enhancing foot traffic on the high street.
The Factory Floor, its dedicated live entertainment space, hosts events including live music, comedy nights and tarot readings. These events provide a platform for local artists and performers, foster a vibrant arts scene and draw diverse audiences to the area.
The QUARTER offers venue hire for weddings, christenings, baby showers and other community gatherings, reinforcing its role as a communal gathering place.
Annmarie Bailey said: “There are lots of things happening at Spode right now, lots of investment, so it’s a very good place for us to be based right now.
“The developers Capital and Centric are going to be taking over a lot of the site and redeveloping much of the space which is all very exciting.”
The QUARTER at Potbank has entered the High Street Impact, Business in the Community and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Lowe's on Carter Street
High Street Impact entrant
Opened by Head Chef George Lowe in April 2023, Lowe’s on Carter Street has become one of Uttoxeter’s most significant high street success stories.
George, whose career spans Michelin-starred kitchens, luxury hotels and international private chef work, wanted to bring a new dining experience to Uttoxeter.
Lowe’s is a casual fine dining restaurant and wine bar that prides itself on an ever-evolving menu using the very best Staffordshire produce and working with suppliers including Dunwood Butchers and Staffordshire Coffee.
It has created jobs, attracted thousands of visitors, gained 400 five-star reviews and given back to the town that George grew up in.
George and the team believe a great restaurant should be about more than just excellent food. They want it to set a standard in the town and to give guests an experience they never forget. In the three years they’ve been operating they’ve built a restaurant that is attracting visitors from across Staffordshire and is rooted in the community.
Thanks to the quality of their food, hard work of their team, personal touch and approach to customer service repeat business stands at 34.73% above the industry average. One customer, a widower, visits Lowe’s every Sunday without fail. She has a children’s meal and talks to the team - the restaurant is her social lifeline.
Employing a team of eight local staff, Lowe’s is a proud living wage employer and operates a four-day working week.
The restaurant’s popularity led George to launch ambitious expansion plans last year, snapping up the empty unit next door, and helping revitalise one of Uttoxeter’s main streets in the process. A £15,000 investment created a new bar area and increased their covers by 12, a rise of 25% and increasing their floorspace by a third.
Over the past three years, the restaurant has delivered at least 600 three-course Christmas dinners completely free of charge, no questions asked, to residents across Uttoxeter. Meals are delivered on Christmas Eve, ensuring people who may be isolated, elderly or financially struggling can enjoy a festive meal without the worry.
As a passionate supporter and positive voice for the hospitality sector George is also heavily involved in Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce’s new hospitality forum, where he wants to rally support for the industry.
Looking ahead, George aims to replicate this model elsewhere in Staffordshire by opening a second restaurant - extending the positive high street impact they have already delivered in Uttoxeter.
Lowe’s on Carter Street has entered the High Street Impact, Business in the Community and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Acorn Training
High Street Impact entrant
Staffordshire-based Acorn Training has invested £348,000 in a flagship hub in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre.
Spanning three floors and four units in Piccadilly Arcade, Hanley, it serves as Acorn Training’s national headquarters and a beacon of regeneration in the high street.
The business delivers adult education, apprenticeships, employability programmes, justice services and careers development. The investment in the heart of Hanley brings opportunities to the high street, providing accessible learning and employment opportunities for the local community.
The centre has modern classrooms, a fully equipped IT suite, kitchens with free tea and coffee, corporate offices and a bright, clean frontage designed to help revitalise the look and feel of Piccadilly Arcade.
Accessibility has been a priority, with the installation of a new lift ensuring the centre is inclusive and welcoming to all.
This physical transformation is just the foundation of the impact Acorn Training is making on the high street. The business approach ensures its services are holistic and person-centred, tailored to meet the complex needs of the community and helping the hardest hit in society.
Learners are welcomed with free hot drinks and lunches and many are supported with travel costs to ensure they can attend courses consistently. A walk-in wardrobe provides suitable clothing for upcoming job interviews, helping boost confidence and making sure no one is held back by financial barriers.
There is dedicated in-house support for those with neurodiverse needs, as well as ongoing community signposting to vital services such as health care, food banks, housing advice and mental health support.
The adult training courses delivered from the Hanley centre are carefully aligned with both community needs and local labour market demand. From Retail and Customer Service to Warehousing, IT, and English for Speakers of Other Languages, Acorn Training equips people with practical, job-ready skills that open doors to sustainable employment. These courses are available both online and in person, allowing for flexible and inclusive learning.
The centre works closely with employers to fill live job vacancies, hosting jobs fair and networking events from the centre.
Acorn Training is committed to supporting those who are furthest from the job market, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, individuals with mental and physical health challenges, ex-offenders, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community and ethnic minority groups. This focus on inclusion and breaking down barriers has not only earned Acorn Training recognition for its work in equality and diversity but has made a tangible difference to the lives of thousands of individuals in Staffordshire.
Acorn Training has entered the High Street Impact category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Affinity Outlet Staffordshire
High Street Impact entrant
Affinity Outlet Staffordshire isn’t just home to more than 40 household brands it has positioned itself as a hub of the local community.
This includes the introduction of The Snug, a free warm space with comfortable seats and free books for people to read and return.
There is also a free soft play area open to families seven days a week.
The centre opened as Freeport Talke in 1999, later rebranding as Affinity. It was bought by the Frasers Group in 2024 and has since strengthened its commitment to community engagement, with a specific focus on supporting local people and organisations.
Affinity hosts community days with local authorities, supports local charities and delivers a programme of free events throughout the year. Most recently a K-Pop event attracted more than 7,000 visitors who enjoyed a free live show and a meet and greet experience.
Each Christmas there is a free Santa’s grotto and a meet-and-greet experience where Santa can communicate using Makaton.
Stores at Affinity Outlet Staffordshire include M&S Outlet, Nike Clearance Store, Next Outlet, Terraces and Skechers.
An Affinity Outlet Staffordshire spokesman said: “We are incredibly proud of the impact we’ve had and the support we’ve been able to offer, particularly during a time when many households are facing financial challenges.
“Our goal has always been simple, to ensure our centre is a place where everyone feels welcome, supported and part of the community.”
Affinity Outlet Staffordshire has entered the Business of the Year, Business in the Community and High Street Impact categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Smithfield Works
High Street Impact entrant
Smithfield Works in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre is both a business in itself and a community that entrepreneurs and start-up business owners call home.
It aims to provide a relaxed but vibrant environment with premium facilities suitable for businesses of varied sectors and at all stages in their development.
International companies take advantage of medium to large office suites and creative organisations - such as Stoke Creates and Centre Space Arts - are free to host events and connect with others across two sites.
A flexible tenancy offer works for young businesses looking to grow and expand, while larger firms such as Ticketmaster Sport and Harrison Drury can occupy bigger spaces. Zoom booths, meeting rooms and free refreshments are available throughout the day.
Community Manager Adele Simmons prides herself on offering an efficient service to all tenants, regardless of their size and scale.
A pro-active approach has led to multiple business networking events taking place at Smithfield Works, whilst a year-long community programme takes place in the estate’s public space.
Community events at Smithfield Works have seen hundreds of local residents attend free family events, where free meals have also been provided.
A close relationship with entertainment arts programmes such as Appetite has resulted in visitors experiencing live music, dancing and theatrical-style programmes.
For 2026 a collaboration between Smithfield Works, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub and PR firm BabaBaboon saw the launch of a new competition, The Business Elevator.
This competition is open to businesses up to three years old. Prizes include 12 months of hot desk space at Smithfield Works, start-up membership of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, PR support from BabaBaboon, a new mobile phone device from Complete Communications and 400 business cards plus branding support. A celebration evening will take place in June for finalists.
Since opening its doors in 2022 Smithfield Works has created long-term relationships with both present and past tenants.
Adele has seen start-up businesses thrive and expand their teams at Smithfield Works. Digital recruitment firm Purple Digital, one of the first tenants as a start-up company, has gone from using hot desk space to having its own dedicated Gold desk facility as the business continues to grow.
Smithfield Works has entered the High Street Impact and Business in the Community categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Appetite
High Street Impact entrant
For more than a decade, Appetite has helped redefine Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme’s high streets through ambitious outdoor arts and cultural experiences that attract visitors, increase footfall, support local businesses and rebuild civic pride.
Since launching in 2013, Appetite has welcomed more than 2.2 million people to arts experiences across the area, transforming town centres and public spaces into vibrant cultural destinations and demonstrating how sustained cultural investment can support regeneration, economic activity and community connection.
Appetite’s flagship event, The Big Feast, brings thousands of people into Hanley city centre every August Bank Holiday weekend through world-class outdoor arts, performance, installations and shared experiences.
Delivered entirely within walking distance across the city centre, The Big Feast encourages audiences to spend extended time in Hanley, increasing footfall and supporting surrounding hospitality and retail businesses throughout the festival weekend.
The festival has become a major driver of city centre activity and profile raising. In 2025, 78% of audiences said they had come to Hanley specifically to attend The Big Feast, demonstrating the festival’s growing role as a destination event for residents and visitors alike. The same year, The Big Feast generated more than £300,000 in economic activity for Stoke-on-Trent, with audiences spending money across hospitality, retail and transport throughout the weekend.
Appetite’s impact extends beyond the festival itself. Following attendance at The Big Feast, 88% of audiences said they were likely or very likely to return to the city centre in future, showing how positive cultural experiences can help rebuild confidence in town centres and encourage repeat visits.
Before attending The Big Feast, 42% of audiences said they felt positively about Hanley, rising to 77% afterwards, demonstrating the programme’s significant impact on civic pride and perception.
Building on this success, Appetite launched its new Light Up Winter programme in 2026, using large-scale projections, sound and light installations to animate public spaces during the darker winter months, when town centres often struggle most.
Delivered across Hanley, Middleport and Newcastle-under-Lyme over five evenings in January, February and March, the programme attracted thousands of visitors into town centres outside traditional peak periods, extending activity into evening hours and supporting local hospitality businesses during quieter trading times.
The visually striking nature of the programme generated significant public attention, social media engagement and media coverage, helping to challenge negative perceptions of town centres and reposition them as welcoming, exciting and culturally vibrant destinations.
Emily Labhart, Director of Appetite, said: “High streets thrive when people feel a sense of excitement, belonging and pride in their place. Appetite uses culture to bring people together in town centres and create positive shared experiences that encourage people to return, stay longer and see their communities differently.
“Through long-term investment in ambitious public programmes like The Big Feast and Light Up Winter, we are demonstrating the role culture can play in supporting local economies, animating public space and helping town centres become vibrant social destinations once again.”
Appetite has entered the High Street Impact category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
The Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall
High Street Impact entrant
For the last 28 years, under the operation of ATG Entertainment, the Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall have remained at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent’s city centre and high street, providing vibrant, welcoming spaces for communities and visitors alike.
Both venues serve as anchor destinations within the city centre, enhancing the high street experience by attracting people who meet, visit and enjoy neighbouring hospitality and retail along the way.
Their impact on the high street and the wider city is visible and significant, underpinned by a strong commitment to innovative, collaborative partnership working. Embedded within community inclusion, visitor attraction and high street initiatives, the Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall continue to raise the profile of the city centre while supporting jobs, skills and long-term growth.
Attracting and delivering internationally recognised productions, artists and experiences is central to ensuring Stoke-on-Trent remains a destination audiences choose to visit, enjoy and stay in. By consistently securing major touring titles and household name performers, from West End scale productions to nationally known comedians and chart-topping music acts, the venues are instrumental in putting Stoke-on-Trent on the map as a cultural destination.
Alongside major touring productions, both venues proudly support locally led performances, reflecting a balance of national excellence and local pride. Welcoming more than 270,000 visitors across more than 300 performances and events last year - a growth of 53% in footfall over the last four years - the venues provide a thriving cultural offer at the heart of the high street.
This activity extends beyond the venues themselves, with neighbouring hospitality and retail businesses benefiting from increased footfall, economic activity and employment opportunities across the city centre.
For the last three decades, the Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall have played a defining role in the success and identity of Stoke-on-Trent’s city centre and high street.
Through exceptional cultural experiences, sustained employment for more than 150 staff, and significant economic and social impact, both venues continue to strengthen the city and support neighbouring businesses and organisations.
The venues attract cast, crew and visitors from all over the country and the team are committed to championing the high street and surrounding areas to demonstrate the strong local offer and drive growth into the local economy.
The long-standing partnerships the venues hold with visitor economy agencies, local businesses, charities, educational institutions and grassroots performance groups also demonstrate a deep and lasting commitment to the future prosperity, creativity and wellbeing of Stoke-on-Trent.
The Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall have entered the High Street Impact category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Rob Fenton
High Street Impact nominee
Community and impact surround every project and intervention that Rob Fenton leads. A graphic artist and muralist, Rob’s work is evident across Staffordshire and far beyond, notably making an impact on key high streets in Stoke-on-Trent city centre and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Rob calls his murals and pieces of art ‘interventions’ because they are just that, opportunities to change narrative, prompt new conversation and create spaces that become communal, shared or are changed by the very presence of something new, unfamiliar or different.
His mural projects on the high street provide a moment for local residents and visitors alike, to experience art in their location, to alter their reality or inspire new thinking in a vibrant and welcoming way.
After graduating from University of Staffordshire with a degree in Graphic Design, Rob has built a reputation over the last 20 years as a champion of the transformative power of art in shaping the social fabric of cities and high streets.
With a passion for creativity, design and innovation, alongside a deep understanding of the power of art in fostering community engagement, Rob is dedicated to contributing to the regeneration of public and shared spaces.
Although Rob works nationally and internationally, it is in the creative county of Staffordshire and from his studio at the Roslyn Works in Longton that he hopes he can make the most significant positive impact on the aspirations of the next generation by demonstrating the power that street art can have on urban renewal and community cohesion.
Rob applies an innovative and collaborative approach to all his mural projects to ensure that his interventions on the high street and urban areas are both groundbreaking and thought provoking, as well as inclusive of some of the best local talent and skills in the area. Every project needs help. From creative direction and commissioning to innovative partnerships and bold vision, Rob’s interventions are created by teams.
Collaborating with other artists and specialists is key to delivering dynamic work but these can’t be realised without high street partnerships, scaffolding expertise, digital support, street cleaning, videographers, tree surgeons, musicians and many more.
Rob believes that contributing to high street regeneration is a community effort that can foster connections, promote dialogue and create new commercial opportunities and employment for other skills in the city and beyond. Rob actively collaborates with local organisations, government agencies and community members to identify spaces in need of revitalisation and to ensure that his artwork reflects the unique identity and aspirations of each neighbourhood or high street.
This work is always meaningful and often provokes emotion and conversation, giving the space for people to engage in their high street in a way that may not have been previously possible. This counters negative narratives about places, assumptions about opportunities and any lack of confidence that may exist as a result of unloved or declining locations.
Rob’s work is often the first of its kind in the UK using pioneering techniques, unique project scopes and technical skills that can often have as much emphasis on engineering as art.
A recent and prominent example is the 100 Years, 100 Faces Mural to celebrate 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent. This project was a collaboration with Alastair Barnett and Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID to bring together the faces of key individuals from the last century who have made a significant contribution to the arts, industry, community and beyond in the city. The first of its kind in Britain, Rob led a team of people to use technology, portraiture and design to create a mural that has now been visited by tens of thousands of people from across the UK, including more than 300 guests on the launch evening.
The mural is not only a chance to raise the profile of a city centre so often overlooked, but also to raise the confidence of those engaging with it to visit again, take a new creative path or create their own change making networks. This is an example of the repeated ‘ripple effect’ that public art installations and murals have, far beyond the intervention itself.
Other high street impact examples of work that Rob has been part of over recent years has been a full building height mural for the centenary celebrations of iconic Stoke-on-Trent founded brand Belstaff in Longton which not only shines a light on a home grown, internationally loved heritage brand, but also revitalises and prompts conversation again and again in the high streets of Longton.
Rob has also been part of high street interventions that are being adopted by other high streets from Scotland to the south west. Artbox was an innovative partnership between BT and Rob, who developed a way of creating art on BT junction boxes to elevate the public realm and spark dialogue.
Rob is now advising other high street partnerships about how to practically create vibrant art for good, that welcomes both local residents and visitors.
Of course, Rob Fenton projects aren’t just about making spaces more vibrant or colourful, they also depict local history, celebrate cultural diversity or advocate for social justice, often carrying a powerful message that resonates with the surrounding community.
Rob Fenton has been nominated in the High Street Impact and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
PH Production Services
High Street Impact nominee
PH Production Services is an international production company that delivers large scale events, conferences and associated services as well as design, production, operation and management of theatrical performances, live shows, music, outdoor events, exhibitions, community and spiritual festivals.
Based in Stoke-on-Trent, PHPS leverages the skills, experience and knowledge gained through the commercial side of the business and ensures their local work benefits and catalyses grassroots activation across the local community and high street.
Through an eco-system of connected groups, initiatives, collaborations, partnerships and innovations, PHPS leaves few stones unturned to provide new opportunities for people and businesses, create vibrant activation for high streets and communities and develop exciting partnerships with businesses to network and connect.
It also offers crucial work and experiences for young people, musicians and artists to find and build their next career steps.
With a deep commitment to be a supporter and partner to creative and community organisations in the city, PHPS has played a significant role in local high streets over the last 12 months as part of the centenary celebrations. It has been the catalyst for festivals, events and live music instrumental in helping halt decline and develop renewal in the high street.
Celebrating nearly 25 years in business, PHPS was founded by Pete Herbert in 2001 after a 15 year career in technical production in the theatre and entertainment sector.
Now employing 11 full time staff, PHPS is a team of talented and technical experts focussed on delivering commercial projects and filling the gaps for community events, festivals, awards and performances that attract local residents and visitors to the high street.
With a strong desire to raise the profile of the city and its high streets, PHPS has created a range of events and initiatives that are building skills, jobs and commercial opportunities within the entertainment, technical and third sectors.
These include PH in the Community to champion emerging artists;,Honey Box which is a monthly live stream broadcast to help emerging artists access new audiences and the Connects Network which provides informal, cross sector business networking in the heart of the city centre and high street from Smithfield Works. These monthly networking events regularly attract more than 20 businesses who support each other, creating a positive impact for local economy, confidence and jobs.
PHPS runs the Staffordshire & Cheshire Music Awards which are having a direct and positive impact on the long-term cultural infrastructure of the city by spotlighting talent, providing opportunities and inviting industry professionals to witness the rising profile of Stoke-on-Trent as a whole.
PH production Services has been nominated for the High Street Impact and Business in the Community categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Kiln at Number 12 and Dimbleby Ceramics
High Street Impact entrant
Less than two years after opening, ceramic café Kiln at Number 12 has won awards, attracted customers from around the world and expanded into the neighbouring unit at Longton Exchange.
In April of this year owners Rachel and Mathew Dimbleby, who are University of Staffordshire alumni, took over a second unit at the shopping centre to open a dedicated creative studio for Dimbleby Ceramics.
Both businesses are thriving and have become a tourist attraction for Stoke-on-Trent. Pottery making or painting with the Dimbleys has become a must do for overseas visitors to the region while people from other parts of the UK change their travel arrangements to plan in a visit.
Demand for pottery painting had more than doubled every weekend, with school holiday sessions booking out well in advance. To meet this sustained increase in footfall across both the café and workshop offerings and with revenue rising by at least a third month on month, expansion became essential.
Kiln at Number 12 is now firmly embedded in the local community with a loyal customer base, many of whom are greeted by name and with their preferred drink. The café has become known for its high quality coffee, cakes, food and drinks and has even welcomed well known faces, including Keith Brymer Jones during filming for The Great Pottery Throw Down alongside other cast and crew.
Despite its rapid growth, Kiln at Number 12 has retained its warm, relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Its sister space, Dimbleby Ceramics, offers a lighter aesthetic with a Scandinavian / Japanese influence. Both interiors were thoughtfully designed by Rachel and Mathew, drawing inspiration from the Heritage Colours of Longton created by local CIC Urban Wilderness. The couple personally carried out the shop fits, supported by friends and family.
Dimbleby Ceramics has also become an international draw. Master Potter Mathew’s throwing on the potter’s wheel workshops have attracted visitors from across the globe. Recent guests include a group of 15 tourists from Switzerland for a studio tour and demonstration, as well as visitors from across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Washington DC, Los Angeles, China, London and numerous UK towns and cities.
The expanded studio now accommodates larger parties and corporate groups, with recent bookings from Woolcool, Bet365, Stoke City FC youth team and the NHS.
Mathew said: “As AI takes a firmer foothold in everyday life, the need for an honest space where genuine hands on creativity and face to face social interaction can flourish is becoming increasingly important.
“Wellbeing and mindfulness must remain a priority and Dimbleby Ceramics is uniquely positioned to meet this need, with the knowledge, skills and authenticity required to support meaningful creative experiences.”
To build on this momentum, Rachel, drawing on her 28 years of experience as an art and design teacher, is broadening the workshop programme to include painting and printmaking, complementing the core ceramics offering and further enhancing the creative potential of the space.
When Kiln at Number 12 first opened the business employed just one part time staff member alongside Rachel and Mathew. As demand grew, so did the team. With two shops now operating, the business employs seven part time staff, each fully invested in the company’s ethos. Team members receive training in pottery painting processes, barista skills and general café operations. Customer reviews consistently highlight the team’s warmth, attentiveness and expertise.
Kiln at Number 12 and Dimbleby Ceramics have entered the High Street Impact and Growth categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards. Mathew and Rachel have entered the Entrepreneur of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories.