7-15 Queen Street Live/Work Units
Live/Work is a growing concept and offers a financially viable option for creative entrepreneurs establishing and developing a new business by providing affordable combined living and working accommodation for young creatives.
Midland Heart's Live/Work project at 7-15 Queen Street is the very first of its kind to be developed in North Staffordshire. The project converted a row of long standing derelict buildings in the heart of Burslem into a modern hub of creative design and energy.
The Live/Work apartments have been designed specifically for local entrepreneurs in the creative industries, who would not be able to afford to pay for work accommodation as well as living accommodation.
The Queen Street apartments are aimed at creative people who have recently started, or are planning to start a new creative business as well as being aimed at local art, design and technology students and graduates who intend to establish a business within the creative sector. Priority will be given to applicants of this nature, but all other applications will be considered - including those who have already set up their own business but may need advice and support, and again a space to live and work from. If you want to discuss your potential as a Live/Work tenant, do get in touch.
To demonstrate the type of creative businesses located within this exciting development, these are the current Live/Work tenants -
Camila Prada - ceramic designer who graduated with an MA in ceramic design in 2006, moved into her Live/Work apartment, and immediately set up her ceramic design company Vinila
Chris Stone – award-winning film maker Chris has been working freelance for a while and set up his own business in 2007. After winning Best International Director at the LA Film Festival in 2006 and Best Music Video Direction at the London Lime Light Festival in 2008, Chris secured a three-month work placement at the international studios in Hollywood in late 2008.
Michelle Saxon – after several years working in various industries, Michelle qualified as a qualified Craft Demonstrator through the Hobby Industry Association USA, and set up her business a few years ago and has now built up a UK-wide reputation as a senior craft demonstrator working alongside national manufacturers as their main retailer and demonstrator.
Karen Sayle - immediately after graduating with a BA in photography & animation from Staffordshire University, Karen moved into the Queen Street building in August 2006 to establish her new business photography business but soon realised her heart was in animation and began the process of establishing a second business, Big Red Studio Animation to achieve that dream.
Rob Pointon – after graduating from Aberystwyth University with a 1st Class degree in Fine Art in 2004, Rob was working freelance before establishing himself as a self-employed artist in late 2007. Rob’s talent is being widely appreciated with numerous commissions being placed for his work, as well as undertaking a 2-year project for Staffordshire Housing alongside fellow live/work resident Karen Sayle.
Chris Guest – after working as a community artist for Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Chris and his business partner Grega established CREATIVE ARTS NORTH STAFFS (C.A.N.S) which is a community arts organisation based who work with a wide variety of local groups, from community centres to schools, crime reduction charities to local authorities to actively encourage the use of artistic activities to support community development & improve the quality of life of its members. By working in areas where there are social, cultural or environmental issues to be addressed, CANS have many years experience of working with young people and tackling issues around race, gender, disability, health and the environment.
Nic Winstanley – after graduating from Hereford College of Art & Design in 2006 with BA Hons in Illustration, Nic began specialising in CD cover art and photo manipulation but since moving into the live/work units, Nic has been able to concentrate on fully establishing her business, branching out into editorial illustration, collaborations and community projects.
Adam Pryce – after graduating from Hereford College of Art & Design, Adam has been working as a illustrator, working for various magazines, book publishers and galleries. Adam works in a variety of media, continuously experimenting with colour, shape, scale and character, and his work includes all areas of illustration including children's books, gallery work, editorial and advertising, as well as leading workshops with children and adults.
Sarah Nadin – with a BA in Graphic Art in 2005, Sarah has since found that her passion lies in participatory arts and is currently setting up a foundation, to be called Tanti Mani (which means “many hands”). The business aims to develop and enrich the local area through community / artist collaboration.
Brett Allen - his recent BA in Journalism from Staffordshire University has given Brett the skills and passion to set up an e-magazine for the alternative scene in Stoke-on-Trent, called Sleepwalkers, as well as being a regular night club photographer at main City Centre venues.
Alex Shimwell – after graduating in ceramic design from Staffordshire University in 2007, Alex began working from his parents Derbyshire home before moving to the Burslem Live/Work scheme in early 2008 to become a self-employed ceramist with a main focus on Raku-type ware.
Rob Spuffard – through a combination of self-training and being a photography student at Staffordshire University, Rob set up his photography business concentrating on studio portrait and still-life work. As he was working from his parents house, Rob needed the dedicated living and working space in Burslem and moved into one of the live/work apartments in March 2009.
Dimitris Prasatzis – after leaving Staffordshire University, Dimitris began utilising his training in graphic design and websites to establish his website design & production business I-Vista Design in 2008 before moving to the Burslem Live/Work units in March 2009.