Three more drop-in sessions are being run this week for residents, shoppers and visitors to see a blueprint for a future Stafford town centre.  

Around 100 people took the opportunity of attending the Guildhall Shopping Centre at the latest session last week where the ‘Development Framework’ was on display - with the vast majority saying they liked what they had seen.

The 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.

There is still a chance to attend a session this week from 11am to 3pm on:

• Wednesday 2 September
• Thursday 3 September

And from 11am to 1pm on:

• Saturday 5 September

As well as attracting local people, visitors from Newport, Cannock, Cheadle and Telford also took the time to find out more about the proposals.

Born and bred Staffordian, Diane Harris, 68, said the council should now get on and do 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.”

Council leader, Aidan Godfrey, urged people not to miss out. “It has been good to have the opportunity of talking to people about the ‘Development Framework’ - and to hear lots of positive comments from those attending."

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.

Councillor Godfrey continued: “There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes with still a long way to go - and I think most of those coming to the drop-in sessions can now appreciate that, and what we are trying to achieve.

“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.”

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

Press Release No 6324