Around 600 people have taken the opportunity to see the vision of a future Stafford Town Centre.

A series of drop-in sessions have been run over the last few weeks with images on display and officers on hand to talk through the blueprint for the town centre

The majority of people welcomed what they had seen, gave plenty of feedback - and said the council should now get on with it.

The town’s ‘Development Framework’ sets out a vision for 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.

Leader of Stafford Borough Council, Aidan Godfrey, said: “It was great to be able to talk to people face to face about what the exciting proposals are for our county town. Most were supportive of what they could see but it was also good to listen to their concerns - as well as being able to address some misinformation.”

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

An earlier report to councillors 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.

Local businesses attended the first event at St Mary’s Church last month - and over the last few weeks five public sessions have taken place at the Guildhall Shopping Centre - with the final one on Saturday (5 September).

You can view the full ‘Development Framework’ from Stafford Regeneration.

An early event attendee, born and bred Staffordian, Diane Harris, 68, echoed many residents when she said the council should now ‘get on with it.’

“I've seen a lot of changes over the years, and it would be nice to see the town transformed as soon as possible. What I have seen today looks good - now they have just got to get on with it.”

Councillor Godfrey continued: “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.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to come along and discuss the framework, share their views, and leave comments. I hope they will feel better informed about what is going on - and we will take on board what they want to see, and just as importantly, want they want protected, as part of this major transformation of the town centre.”  

Press Release Number 6326