Blueprint for transformation of Stafford town centre welcomed
Land previously occupied by a Stafford shopping centre has been earmarked for the town’s new indoor market area, while new houses and apartments could be built on other former retail space, a blueprint for future development has revealed.
Up to 200 new homes, more than 3,000 square metres of commercial space and 6,000 square metres of education space are proposed in the Stafford Town Centre Development Framework.
The spaces set for redevelopment have all been purchased by Stafford Borough Council as part of its ambitious plans to regenerate the town centre. The authority was awarded £14.3m from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund in December 2020, which was used to purchase a number of commercial properties.
Previously the former Co-op Department Store in Greengate Street was earmarked to become Stafford’s new market hall. Since being bought by the borough council the 1970s building has been demolished, with just the 1930s façade being retained.
The new town centre development framework now proposes a market hall be located at the former Guildhall Shopping Centre. The previous indoor market venue, which was located next to the shopping mall, closed in 2024 and has been pulled down as part of the centre and multi storey car park demolition, with only historic frontages and the former Chapel Tower remaining.
Land formerly occupied by the indoor market hall and multistorey car park is set to be re-purposed for mixed commercial and business use as well as town houses, apartments and parking. Terraced houses and apartments are earmarked for the former Guildhall management suite, gym and car park off Earl Street.
Last year Stafford Borough Council announced further purchases of other town centre sites in Broad Street and Gaolgate Street. Planning permission is being sought to demolish the former Broad Street Wilko site, which also includes a shopmobility unit and public toilets, and 10-12 Gaolgate Street.
The Broad Street land is identified for educational use, to enable Newcastle and Stafford College Group to expand its Stafford College campus. And 10-12 Greengate Street, along with the former Co-op Department Store site, would be transformed into apartments.
The development framework was presented to Stafford Borough Council’s cabinet at its meeting on Thursday (April 9). A report to the cabinet said: “With the continued rise of online shopping, the economic impact of the pandemic and the associated fundamental changes to the way that people live, work and choose to spend their free time, high streets up and down the country have struggled to adapt."