What's next for Stoke-on-Trent?

In 2017 Stoke-on-Trent was branded by some as the “Brexit capital of Britain”. Many Stokies were angered by the label and the sense of being written off as “left behind” in post-industrial decline, and in answer to the negativity, the city decided to change perceptions for itself. A bid for UK City of Culture, while lost to Coventry, caught the imagination of people across Stoke; in his 8-part video series, Made in Stoke-on-Trent, Guardian video producer John Domokos tells the story of this transformation. Many challenges still remain, but there are also opportunities: Stoke lost a bid to host a new Channel 4 hub, but has a growing creative sector, two thriving universities and an ambitious new plan to build on its ceramics heritage. Chaired by John Domokos, the panel includes Abi Brown, deputy leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, who lead the City of Culture and Channel 4 bids; Anna Francis, a Stoke-based artist with a focus on "rethinking city resources", who is leading the Portland Inn project; Carol Shanahan is CEO of Synectics Solutions, co-chair of the Opportunity Area Fund for Stoke-on-Trent, and also chair of the Port Vale Foundation Trust; Danny Flynn, he is CEO of the north Staffordshire YMCA and Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities. The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A and drinks reception brought to you by Guardian Cities, supported by The Rockefeller Foundation