A major new public art trail launching this spring is expected to generate more than £600,000 for Staffordshire’s economy, bringing thousands of visitors into town centres across the county.
The Staffy Trail, launching on 1 May to mark the tenth anniversary of Staffordshire Day, will feature 10 large-scale sculptures of Staffy, the county’s loveable new canine mascot. There will also be 40 exciting stops along the trail for people to unlock, each highlighting local stories and all the fun attractions that make Staffordshire the nation’s playground.
Spanning Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and Tamworth, the trail is expected to attract around 30,000 visitors, with an average spend of more than £20 per person and delivering a significant boost to local shops, cafés, attractions and businesses.
Delivered by the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) in partnership with Making Trails, the project is designed to encourage people to explore more of the county, spend more time in town centres and discover everything Staffordshire has to offer.
While the Staffy Trail is the largest project of its kind in the county, organisers have based their projections on the success of previous local trails.
The Burton Barrel Roll Trail, delivered by Making Trails in summer 2024, featured 14 artist-designed barrel sculptures and attracted more than 31,000 visitors over 10 weeks, generating £600,000 for the local economy.
Unlike traditional trails, the Staffy Trail will be spread across multiple locations with a mix of sculptures and curated stops, making it the first trail of its kind in Staffordshire.
Martin Murray, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:
“This is a really exciting project for Staffordshire. We’ve seen first-hand how trails like the Burton Barrel Roll can bring people into an area and deliver real economic benefits for local businesses.
“The Staffy Trail takes that to the next level. Being spread across multiple locations makes it something quite unique.
“What’s really important is the way it encourages people to explore, spend time in different places and connect with the stories behind them. That’s where the real value lies for local communities and businesses.”
More details about the trail will be revealed in the coming weeks.
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