Long-awaited work to redevelop the Nicholson Institute in Leek will start this month. The Nicholson Institute in Leek The £3.8 million improvement programme, led by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, will deliver major improvements to the Grade II listed building including: Refurbishing the entire lower ground floor and bringing it back into use as a flexible, multi-purpose space for events, activities, and community functions Redesigning the library to create an acces

Staffordshire Police are warning people to be extra vigilant this month and not fall victim to social media or local selling scams, after a number of counterfeit notes were found in circulation in Staffordshire. After Christmas, many individuals are trying to sell unwanted gifts or are searching for bargains themselves and s ellers often use social media platforms to advertise items, and at the point of sale, could be handed counterfeit notes by fraudulent buyers as payment.

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent's position as a leading location to invest and do business will again be showcased at a national investor event in May. A delegation will be returning to promote the area at UKREiiF (UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum) in Leeds next May to over 16,000 attendees. The three-day event is in its fifth year and brings together local and regional public sector organisations with government, investors, funders, developers, housebuil

Small businesses up to five years old are being urged to find out more about a support package provided through a Staffordshire County Council programme. Get Started and Grow offers FREE, fully-funded 1:1 support and advice. Pick the support that suits you: Expert accountancy & cash flow planning Legal advice to keep you compliant A professional website (up to 7 pages – FREE!) Branding & logo design that stands out Social media & digital marketing support tailored to your nee

A new visitor mascot for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent was launched at a major tourism conference at Uttoxeter Racecourse on Thursday 15th January.  The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) has introduced ‘Staffy’ – a charming Staffordshire Bull Terrier mascot, who is ready to put his best paw forward to promote the region’s attractions and lifestyle offer.   Staffy was brought to life with the help of award-winning Stoke-on-Trent animation s

This article from Innovate Uk shares their extensive work into retrofitting homes. It's a rising tide for our economy, our workforce and our communities. Without a doubt reusing and repurposing what we already have is better for the environment that anything we can create from scratch and housing is no different from any other item in this regard. We believe this information is crucial for reimagining our homes we offer it to inspire and educate anyone involved in this area.

Thought Leadership Series - Tom Adeyoola, Executive Chair, Innovate UK Kicking off a 2026 series, Innovate UK’s Executive Chair, Tom Adeyoola  sets out the UK’s competitive advantages in the global innovation race. In this latest piece, Tom digs into the UK’s “right to win”, where our true edge lies, and the big strategic bets which could define 2026 and beyond.If you care about innovation, growth or the future of the UK, this one’s well worth a read. Read the full blog here.

Innovate UK Growth Catalyst - Investor Partnership Round 2  Applications close: 3 Feb 2026  Innovate UK Growth Catalyst is a programme designed to help growth-oriented start-ups from seed to Series A. This competition combines grant funding, aligned private investment and structured support services to help innovators progress through key growth milestones. This competition comprises a £100 million programme to support innovative companies in these fields: Advanced Manufactur

Applications close: 4 Feb 2026 Up to 60 awardees, more than any previous round, will receive a package of support that includes a grant of up to £75,000, bespoke business support, and a suite of training, networking and role-modelling opportunities. There has been 10 key changes to the Awards based on feedback from the business community - including clearer eligibility, improved application processes and closer alignment with the UK’s Industrial Strategy.   Find out more or a

Police Surgery Information

2025 is the third warmest year on record, following 2024 and 2023 according to a Met Office report issued this week. The three-year run of record warmest years saw 2025 conclude at 1.41±0.09°C above the 1850-1900 global average, according to the HadCRUT5 temperature series, collated by the Met Office, the University of East Anglia and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science. 2025 is the third warmest year on record and is the third calendar year exceeding 1.4°C. Met Offic

At COGNEWS, we are eager to have local jobs filled by local residents whenever feasible, which is why we've established our new Jobs Board. This platform allows local employers to post their job openings at no cost. If you have a vacancy you wish to advertise, please contact our editorial team . Staffordshire County Council Prison Library Assistant £25,583 - £25,989 (pro rata)  | 9hrs per week | Featherstone Prison Library Do you have a passion for reading, literacy, informat

The Health and Safety Executive's Working Minds campaign has launched a new webpage to help employers recognise how work-related stress develops and why prevention matters. The page explains the impact stress can have on health, absence and productivity. It also reinforces the importance of good work design. To understand the risks of stress at work and take the first steps towards preventing it in your workplace, visit the new page: Understanding the impact of stress at wor

Former Catholic priest Alexander Bede Walsh has been convicted of a non-recent sexual offence against a boy. On Tuesday, January 13, Bede Walsh, 72, of HMP Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was found guilty of indecent assault on a child after a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. Walsh committed the indecent assault at a church in Cheadle during the 1980s. He is presently serving a 22-year prison sentence, having been convicted in 2012 of two sexual offences and 19 counts of indec

This may be a strange subject to talk about on a local news outlet, but it affects local residents where it hurts most: their pockets. We are lucky enough to have a building society in our town that keeps our savings safe for that summer holiday which we are thinking about in all this cold weather. But if you have money elsewhere, there may be a problem coming soon. The United States is at a record high level of debt, and one of the factors that keeps their currency stable is

Cost £5 per person Friday 30 January, 10.30am Staffordshire History Centre, Eastgate Street, Stafford Step back in time! Wander the streets of Stafford and discover the grim, grisly and grand events which make up its past. One hour, around one mile of walking.  Booking required either via their website or at the History Centre. Stafford Walking Tour - created 13th January 2026

Free Event Friday 16 January, 10.30 to 11.30  Staffordshire History Centre, Eastgate Street, Stafford A classic fairy tale with a Staffordshire twist. Save the day and help Cinderella complete her chores in time for the party! Sensory hands on story time for ages 1-6. What's On: Staffordshire Cinderella - created 13th January 2026

Organised by Staffordshire Moorlands District C ouncillor and Communities Portfolio Holder, Councillor Bill Cawley, this year's National Holocaust Memorial Day Service will take place on Saturday 24th January at 2pm at All Saints Church, Compton in Leek. The postcode for the church is ST13 5PT.   The event is currently the only one known to be taking place in Staffordshire to mark the liberation of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp by the Red Army on 27 January 1945. The Lord

The Dougie Mac is looking for more volunteers to join its team this year and would love to hear from anyone who has some time to give and wants to make a difference in their local community. Previous experience isn’t required for some of the roles as role-specific training is provided. If you have some time to give and are you looking for a new challenge, the chance to learn new skills or meet new people then volunteering with Dougie Mac could be for you. Dougie Mac relies on

An Extra Venue for Cheadle's Newest Charity: Claire's Corner Community Pantry