Council defends roadworks after restaurant closes

A council has challenged claims by a fine-dining restaurant that nearby roadworks contributed to its recent closure.

The Potters Club in Stoke-on-Trent said the construction work was "the final nail in the coffin" when it shut.

The restaurant on Station Road has historical links to the city's industrial heritage, having been set up originally as somewhere for the directors of local pottery firms to entertain overseas visitors.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council said it had regular contact with all local businesses during the work, and access to businesses was maintained throughout with clear signage "at every stage of the improvements".

Restaurant staff have said they put their "heart and soul" into finding ways to keep things going at the venue based in Federation House, but reached a point where they could not continue at the location.

"Since the pandemic, we have introduced numerous initiatives to increase membership and visitor numbers, but, like many other high-end venues and star chefs' restaurants, market forces that are particularly hitting the hospitality industry have challenged us time and again," club chairman, Dr Mary McCarthy said last week.

However, she said she hoped an alternative venue could be found.

A spokesperson for the council said: "Our contractors, Galliford Try have maintained regular contact with all local businesses including The Potters Club before the start and regularly during the construction activities on site.

"Prior to work starting, multiple engagement meetings were held with members of The Potters Club, stakeholders, and members of the public, where a detailed overview of the traffic management set-up and how this may impact journeys was discussed."

A website was created to provide up-to-date information relating to the scheme and "the phases of work were planned to maintain access to all businesses along Station Road to minimise disruption and any concerns or requests have been immediately actioned".

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