Businesses in Stafford were given a glimpse of their future town centre at a special event this week.

Around 50 local business people came through the doors of the town’s historic St Mary’s Church to learn about Stafford Borough Council’s ambitious transformation plans.

A blueprint for the town centre was released recently and sets out the framework which would see a new market hall, with artisan retail, food court, entertainment and business start-ups, a variety of accommodation, pocket parks, enhanced public spaces, and proposed expansion to the college - while incorporating historic landmarks in the design.

The borough council organised the drop-in event for local businesses on Wednesday evening (22 July) to talk about the ‘Development Framework’ and listen to feedback.  

A series of public drop-in sessions will take place in the town during August and September giving residents, shoppers, and visitors the chance to find out more about the plans.

Local businessman, Ed Bassett, who is looking at potential investment in the county town, attended the event and said “These are exciting times for Stafford with proposals that will transform the town centre. They now need to move on towards the development stage, working with partners to create a thriving community including residential, commercial and enhanced public spaces.”

Described as the biggest transformation in the county town in a generation - the vision was kick-started when the borough council used government money to buy the ailing Guildhall Shopping Centre and derelict former Co-op department store - which have both been razed to the ground. And demolition is currently taking place on the former Wilko’s building that has been earmarked as additional premises for Newcastle and Stafford College Group.  

The groundwork undertaken by the borough council using government funding has helped spark interest from potential developers who are keen to invest in the area.  

A report to the council’s cabinet stated that with people’s shopping habits and leisure requirements changing, old-fashioned town centres across the country were no longer fit for purpose and needed to evolve.

Borough Council leader, Aidan Godfrey, said: “This event gave us the opportunity to share with local businesses, retail, and hospitality outlets, the vision for our town centre and take them on the next stage of this exciting journey.

“What we are looking at is a shift away from tired and vacant shopfronts in a high street that operates primarily in the daytime to a place that people are proud to live in and, equally importantly, want to spend their time in.”

As well as being used to purchase key buildings, money from the Future High Streets Fund has already paid for refurbishment of the Market Square and enhanced the approach and entrance to Stafford Railway Station.

Deputy leader, Councillor Rob Kenney, said it was good to have feedback from the business community and was looking forward to hearing views from members of the public.

“We have provided the framework for an attractive, modern and well-connected town centre with a focus on heritage that will provide a strong county town identity - and help to bring in high quality developers.

“There is still much work to do but I am really pleased we have taken the lead to enable the groundwork that is creating a lot of interest in our plans for Stafford.”

The council has also stressed that the iconic frontages of both the Guildhall and Co-op will be retained as part of the development.

More about regeneration of the town can be seen from Stafford Regeneration | Stafford Borough Council

Press Release No 6316