Stoke-on-Trent

The city of Stoke-on-Trent, (also known as The Six Towns, or more commonly, along with the North Staffordshire region, The Potteries) is a sprawling conurbation in the Midlands of the United Kingdom. Stoke is situated almost equidistant to all the major cities in the North/Midlands of the UK (Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Liverpool, Leeds). The population was estimated in 2000 at 254,000.

Stoke officially became a city on 31st March 1910, when the Federation of the Six Towns brought together the boroughs of Hanley, Burslem, Longton and Stoke, together with the districts of Tunstall and Fenton.

The city has since the 17th century been almost exclusively known for it's pottery manufacturing, with such world renowned names as Dolton, Spode and Wedgwood being born and based there. Lesser known is the locally-loved Potteries Oatcake (very different from the Scottish version), whose fame is starting to creep outside of North Staffordshire.

In recent years Stoke has been hit hard by the general decline in the manufacturing sector in the UK, with numerous factories and potbanks being closed, resulting in sharp rise in unemployment in semi-skilled workers.

The fortunes of the city seem to be on the brink of changing, with the city shrugging off its undeserved image of an industrial hellhole and several service sector companies being established (notably, the Caudwell Group), and new business parks promising to attract new economic life to the city.

Stoke-on-Trents famous people list includes Sir Stanley Matthews (footballer), Reginald Mitchell (designer of the Spitfire), Captain Edward Smith (of the Titanic) and Robbie Williams (international music superstar).