Millions of pounds are being invested in developments in the county town.
The Future High Streets Fund is helping fund key transformation projects in Stafford. This has included refurbishing the Market Square, purchasing the Guildhall Shopping Centre, and the former Co-op Department Store.
You can see more from the Transforming Stafford brochure.
Market Square
Renovation of the ‘Square’ was the first phase of the High Street transformation - creating a fitting centre piece for the town centre.
Key infrastructure such as utilities and drainage were improved as part of the £1 million work along with replacement paving, new furniture and planting to make it a more attractive spot for quality events and specialist markets.
The Guildhall Shopping Centre
We have bought the ailing Guildhall Shopping Centre to help increase the pace of town centre regeneration.
Previous plans by the owners had stalled and the shopping centre was in danger of being mothballed for a considerable time.
The Guildhall scheme will have a mixture of commercial and residential while maintaining the existing frontage.
Preparatory work will be carried out in 2024 to attract a development partner. A business case will be drawn up and residents and local businesses will be able to have a say on proposals.
The Old Co-op Department Store
The former Co-op Department Store has been empty for more than a decade. The Future High Streets Fund has helped to purchase the building.
The scheme will include a food court, retail, residential and market offer.
The project is expected take up to two years. Redevelopment of the iconic building is seen as the catalyst for regenerating Stafford Town Centre.
The traditional front of the building will be retained.
Stafford Station Approach
Just across from the award-winning Victoria Park, the entrance to the station is ready to undergo its own transformation, creating a warmer welcome for visitors and for those travelling to and from Stafford by train.
The work will enhance the approach and entrance to the station, making this more accessible for those with disabilities. This work is due to start in 2024.
The Stafford Station project will complement the £2.5 million restoration of Victoria Park. It included a new café, restored bandstand and Grade II listed shelter, toilets and enhanced landscaping.
Stafford Station Gateway
The Stafford Station Gateway regeneration scheme will bring a hotel, a multi-storey car park, new businesses and homes to brownfield land behind the railway station.
In November 2023, we secured £20 million of Levelling Up Funding that will unlock the development potential of the 28 hectare site.
A new £22.5 million Institute of Technology for the Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, and backed by Keele University, Siemens, and Dell among others, is already under construction on part of the Gateway site.
More information on the Gateway can be found in the site’s Strategic Regeneration Framework (pdf 20.9mb) which was adopted by the Council on 24 January 2023.
