Stoke-on-Trent’s bid for City of Culture 2021 is a unique opportunity to celebrate and promote our city’s achievements. On Wednesday, I hosted a reception in support of Stoke-on-Trent for UK City of Culture 2021 in the Houses of Parliament, bringing together leaders from the worlds of culture, education, business and industry.
Our guests heard from Cllr Abi Brown, deputy leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and John Young, managing director of Michelin Tyre, about the importance of culture to business. In Stoke-on-Trent, we have always made things; our creative industries are known around the world. To be made UK City of Culture 2021 would, as the presentations at the reception showed, not only be of huge economic benefit to our city, but the just recognition of the vibrant and underappreciated culture of Stoke-on-Trent.