The contractors knocking down a shopping centre in Stafford as part of major regeneration plans expect the work to be completed in the autumn.

Stafford Borough Council Leader, Aidan Godfrey, deputy leader, Rob Kenney, along with local MP, Leigh Ingham, were given a run through of the ongoing work during a behind the scenes look at the Guildhall Shopping centre this week.

The historic frontage of the building will remain as part of any regeneration work.

The shopping centre, which has been struggling for years with less than a handful of traders left inside, along with the former Co-op department store which has been derelict for more than a decade, have been earmarked for new commercial, retail and residential offer as part of ‘Project Stafford’ - a term coined by Councillor Godfrey to capture the significant transformation that is taking place in the county town.  

The borough council purchased both buildings using money secured from the government to help speed up transformation of the town - and are preparing the sites to make them more attractive to investors and developers.

Councillor Godfrey, said: “We have seen a significant amount of investment in our area - and we have had plenty of interest from developers keen to help us transform our county town.

“It was great to see for myself how far the work has progressed and I am pleased to be told this is expected to be completed in the autumn. We are meeting with potential investors in May and being able to demonstrate the progress we have made will be even more attractive to them.”

Timelines have been mapped out between Stafford Borough Council and the award-winning contractors, Cawarden, for the overall project - with internal work having started towards the end of last year. The main demolition includes the adjoining 255-space multi-storey car park - which was shut due to safety concerns.

Buildings on the eastern frontage of the Guildhall along Greengate Street, and the existing and occupied buildings at Market Square, are to be retained - as will the commercial units along Crabbery Street and fronting St Mary’s Grove.

The buildings retained on Crabbery Street will be improved to encourage individual outlets to set up in the town centre.

Council Deputy Leader, Rob Kenney, who has responsibility for the town centre, said the transformation of the town was the council’s top priority and this was another step towards their vision for the area.

He said: “We purchased the Guildhall and former Co-op to speed up the pace of major regeneration of the High Street with the aim of creating a county town residents can be proud of; where visitors want to come and shop; where people want to socialise and spend time using hospitality venues, and where more businesses want to invest.”

He added: “It is obvious from the feedback we receive that Stafford is making all the right noises on a national stage for the exciting plans we have for the town centre.”

Significant investment has been made in the county town and includes other projects such as the Staffordshire History Centre and the £22.5m Institute of Technology for Stafford College which is due to open to students later this year. And a scheme to enhance the entrance and approach to the town’s railway station is expected to be completed next month. 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.

Press Release No 6202