The two buildings recently purchased by Stafford Borough Council as part of ambitious transformation plans for the town centre have been revealed.

And the senior councillor in charge of town centre regeneration expects the authority’s latest acquisitions of the old Wilko store, adjacent the town’s college, and units attached to the former Co-op, will attract further interest from major investors.

National developers have expressed an interest in working with the borough council due to the work being undertaken on the former derelict Co-op Department Store and ailing Guildhall Shopping Centre to prepare the sites for potential development - which is aimed at commercial, retail, leisure and residential use.

Stafford Borough Council agreed to purchase the former Wilko store and 10-12 Gaolgate Street earlier this year, but the details were kept under wraps until now due to commercial sensitivities. Funding of the ‘key strategic’ sites includes using government money the council secured to regenerate the town.

That government money has already funded the revamp of the town’s Market Square and improvements to the entrance and approach to Stafford Railway Station - which was completed this year.  

Work is ongoing on the demolition of part of the former department store which has been derelict for more than a decade, and Guildhall, which has very few shops left trading inside the centre - with the historic frontages of both buildings being retained.

Council Deputy Leader, Rob Kenney, who has responsibility for town centres, said: “I’m really pleased to be able to announce the acquisition of both these new sites. This has created a larger footprint for the transformation of the town centre which will prove to be another draw for major investors.

“Unfortunately, these buildings would have likely remained empty without council intervention and investors have praised us for taking the initiative by acquiring these sites and undertaking the appropriate groundwork that will attract developers to invest in Stafford.”  

Councillor Kenney added: “This work has not only generated interest in these sites but in Stafford town centre generally. We are creating a place where people want to visit, to live in, to shop in, to work in, and relax in. A town centre fit for a county town and a county town to be proud of.”

Leader of the Borough Council, Aidan Godfrey, said: “This is great news for our ambitious vision of transforming Stafford town centre. We have met with a number of potential investors this year who have been impressed with our ambition, and the progress we have already made.”

There has already been significant investment in the county town over recent times including projects such as the Staffordshire History Centre and the £22.5m Institute of Technology for Stafford College which opens to students soon. The government also confirmed earlier this year a fund of nearly £20 million to help regenerate the underutilised land behind the station with proposals that include a hotel, multi-storey car park and homes.

The carpark at the former Wilko’s store site will remain open.

Press Release No 6232