The voice of businesses in Stafford is relaunching to help shape the exciting plans for the town centre.

Stafford Town Centre Partnership (STCP) is stepping up its work with the borough council following the news of major regeneration in the town - and are inviting more local businesses to join them.

The last few weeks has seen the re-opening of the refurbished Market Square to attract more quality events, the announcement that the former derelict Co-op department store in the centre of town is to be purchased by the council with proposals for a food court, retail, market and residential offer - and work expected to get underway soon on improving and enhancing the entrance and approach to the railway station.

And this week (Thursday 7 December) councillors will be discussing a proposal to buy the Guildhall Shopping Centre as part of ambitious transformation plans for the town.

Chair of the STCP, Mary Walker, said: “We are really excited to be playing our part in shaping the masterplan for our town centre. To ensure we provide the voice of business aspirations for our town we are relaunching the STCP to drive things forward with a new focus on providing a strategic partnership with the borough council.

“But to do this we want retailers, service providers, in fact any local business, to get involved and join us to make our voice even louder.”

She added: “It has been brilliant news to hear that the borough council is purchasing the former Co-op department store, and now the Guildhall Shopping Centre, and we are determined to hold them to account on delivering these projects for the benefit of our area.”

Any business wishing to join the partnership and help shape the future of Stafford should contact Mary Walker at mary.walker@elmgroupltd.com

Councillor Rob Kenney, (pictured) Deputy Leader of the council with responsibility for the town centre regeneration, said: “I am very pleased to hear that Mary and the STCP are on board and want to work with us and residents to ensure we make our county town something for everyone to be proud of.

“Improving the town centre was the number one issue for residents - and it is the top priority for this council. We want a town where residents and visitors shop, where people socialise and spend time using hospitality venues, and we want businesses to invest.

He added: “We are a proactive local authority and in the last few weeks we have demonstrated that we have big ambitions to kick start regeneration - and this is exactly what the council should be doing.”

Senior councillors will be asked to agree to purchasing the Guildhall Shopping Centre when they meet on Thursday. A report to the cabinet has said the local authority will put forward a business case with potential options for the centre and the public will be asked for feedback next year before permission for planning is submitted.

Press Release No 6092