Either side of the bay window is a terrace, which runs across the top of an arcade of Tuscan columns flanking seven arches, each of which contains a fanlight.

The main entrance to the station is from Winton Square, opposite the North Stafford Hotel, into a large modern booking hall; it has an enquiry office, Fast Ticket machines, an HSBC cashpoint and level access to platform 1 from which southbound and eastbound trains normally depart.

On this platform are the main buildings, refreshment room and bar which sells cigarettes, newspapers and a selection of magazines, free CCTV-covered cycle-locking racks, a post box, free newly refurbished toilets for both ladies and gentlemen, a refurbished waiting room, a first class lounge with Wi-Fi and offices for the British Transport Police.

In April 2011, a series of FalcoLevel two-tier cycle parking systems were installed providing secure accommodation for up to 66 bikes.

Northbound trains usually depart from platform 2, which has a newly refurbished waiting room, ladies' and gentlemen's toilets.

The station building retains much of its mid-Victorian character, including a classic glazed roof, built in 1893, that spans the platforms.

Services are operated by Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern and Northern Trains.

[6] Destinations served by local and regional trains include: to the north Crewe and Macclesfield; to the east Uttoxeter, Derby, Nottingham and Newark-on-Trent; and to the south Stafford and Wolverhampton.

There is now an hourly service from Crewe to Stafford calling at local stations, this formerly went to London Euston via Stone from December 2008.

[7] The Crewe-London service was modified following the change of franchise operator, and now runs direct between Stafford and Crewe, avoiding Stoke.

[8] Southbound services depart from platform 1 to a range of regional and national destinations: Avanti West Coast:[10] CrossCountry:[11] London Northwestern Railway:[9] There are strong proposals to reopen the mothballed Stoke–Leek line.

[15][16] The plan has received approval from the county council and is in the early construction phase of Leek (Churnet Valley) railway station and the connecting rail line.

Directly opposite the station entrance is the statue of potter Josiah Wedgwood (1730–1795), sculpted by Edward Davis and erected in 1863.

Wedgwood holds in his hand an exact copy of the Portland Vase, the reproduction of which showed the British that they could at last surpass the achievements of the finest craftsmen of the Roman Empire.

Also the main Royal Mail depot for Stoke-on-Trent is located opposite the station next to the North Stafford Hotel.

Companies that provide services from the Station are First Potteries, D&G Buses and Arriva, serving Hanley, Stoke, and Newcastle town centres, and also Keele University.