Stoke-on-Trent: the vibe
Videos from people who went, played right here, with what viewers said underneath. Not part of the score.
The verdict
Wary · 42Commenters who have lived there describe warm, friendly, honest people but a city in decline, with visible homelessness, drug problems and a lot of pride tied to the potteries heritage.
- friendly people
- community spirit and humour
- pottery heritage
- affordable close-knit feel
- local pride
- urban decline
- homelessness and rough sleeping
- drug problems
- low pay
- run-down high street
- closed industry and jobs
- Locals are warm and proud despite the city's decline
- Visible homelessness and drug use weigh heavily on residents
- Industrial collapse left a lasting sense of neglect
- Pottery museum and heritage are genuine draws
- Nightlife and town centre feel rough after dark
Read from 8 videos, 40 comments and 0 posts on 2026-11-08; the summary is written by a language model and can misread sarcasm.
Two sides to every story | Made in Stoke-on-Trent
The Guardian · 493K views · 2018
What viewers said
“Most people don't realize just how easy it is to become homeless. I was very nearly homeless once. It just takes losing a job and having a bad run of luck. I was educated, hard working, able bodied, not a drug taker nor alcoholic. But I was”
♥ 84 likes
“I'm from Crewe, 20 mins drive from stoke. I came out of jail n was homeless for 6 months. YMCA helped me out and between Cheshire drugs service and YMCA I now have a job n a house. Hard work n good luck to all.”
♥ 317 likes
“Hanley at 3pm is completely different to Hanley at 3am.. mad”
♥ 177 likes
“Could one of the councillors who proposed £1000 fine, please explain how they expected homeless people to pay? Honestly, what planet are these people on!!”
♥ 107 likes
“The fella at the start - 'your recording so you must have a problem ' Your the problem behaving like a total muppet.”
♥ 184 likes
“Lived there for 27 years. Such a shame, they are great people. Very straight and honest.”
♥ 14 likes
“27 years ago I left my home and kids because I was on drugs and drink my husband was violent I had to leave after many violent episodes,so I too got a tent butbu wanted change and s better life and I made big efforts to change ,I eventually”
♥ 19 likes
“The people that feed these poor people are saints 👏🏻”
♥ 25 likes
“So sad to see my home town, once a thriving industrial centre, in such a state. Just one of many towns around the UK in desperate need for help. I moved away 8 years ago. Yes I miss Stoke, but I would never go back.”
♥ 10 likes
“"Barred from one place (hostel) for drug taking". Some people are beyond help.”
♥ 6 likes
Found with a YouTube search for the city and “digital nomad”, fetched 2026-11-08; titles, descriptions and comments belong to their authors and link to the originals.