New paving stones are now being laid as the renovation of the Market Square in Stafford begins to take shape. 

The £1m work is still on track to be completed in the autumn. 

Thousands of new paving stones, which are more durable and designed to complement the Grade II* listed Shire Hall, will form part of the redevelopment.  

The Market Square is the first phase of the transformation of the High Street. The work will enable the area to hold more events and specialist markets with significant improvements to infrastructure - such as utility supplies and drainage. 

Work to replace the paving began this week (15 May) with other enhancements to the ‘Square’ to include furniture and planting with the scheme earmarked for completion this September. 

The investment in the scheme has been backed by a successful bid to the Government’s Future High Street Fund (FHSF) with contributions from Stafford Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council. 

The award-winning civil engineering company, McPhillips (Wellington) Limited are undertaking the work.  

Councillor Ant Reid, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Planning, said: “Anyone who uses the Market Square knows it needed investment to once again become a magnet for footfall - entertainment, social events, shopping: all bring our community together and a rejuvenated market square can achieve this better.   

“I fully support the programme and aim to ensure it is completed on schedule.” 

There has been a huge amount of investment in the town in recent times - with the opening of the £63m Western Access Road, work progressing on the £28 million state of the art skills and innovation centre for Stafford College, as well as the Shire Hall enterprise hub - which opened last year. 

Work has begun on the Staffordshire History Centre off Eastgate Street and funding from the FHSF will be used to improve the landscape outside the front of Stafford Railway Station. 

Press Release No 6030