The contractors who will be knocking down a shopping centre in Stafford as part of major regeneration plans are now on site - with internal work already underway.

Cawarden saw off a handful of competitors to land the contract for the partial demolition of the Guildhall Shopping Centre and derelict former Co-op Department store which sit in the heart of the town. The attractive historic frontages of both buildings will be retained.

Timelines have been mapped out between Stafford Borough Council and the award-winning Cawarden for the overall project - with internal work having started last month. The main demolition project will also include the adjoining 255-space multi-storey car park - which was shut due to safety concerns - and is due to begin in the new year to avoid impact on Christmas trade.

The borough council bought the ailing shopping centre and former Co-op using money secured from the government to help speed up transformation of the town - and will prepare the sites for a developer to create commercial and residential schemes.

More than a dozen contractors expressed an interest in undertaking the work on the buildings - with the council receiving six tenders.

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. The offices being kept for businesses that front St Mary’s Grove are also being enhanced.

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: “I’m really pleased we have Cawarden as the contractor who will be undertaking work which will prepare the site so that we can attract even more investment to the county town.

“We purchased the Guildhall and are acquiring the 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: “We were very impressed with the submissions we received from contractors from across the country. It is obvious from their feedback that Stafford is making all the right noises on a national stage for our exciting town centre plans.”

The shopping centre sits at the foot of the refurbished Market Square in the heart of the town and adjacent to the derelict Co-op - which has been earmarked for a mix of retail, food court, and residential offer.

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 in 2025.

Council leader, Aidan Godfrey, said “The Guildhall and former Co-op are major proposals - but they’re not standalone schemes. They are part of ‘Project Stafford.’

“We completed the Market Square last year, work will be starting in January on improving the entrance and approach to the railway station - and there is the ongoing work to regenerate the underutilised land behind the station with exciting proposals that include a hotel, multi-storey car park and homes.”

An application for the proposed business and homes scheme for the Guildhall is expected to be submitted during the next 12 months.

Derby-based Cawarden have been recognised with a string of national awards awards including ‘Demolition Contractor of the Year’ and and ‘Responsible Business of the Year.’

Commercial Director, Oliver Crooks, said: “We are thrilled to announce that we have been appointed as the specialist contractor for the partial demolition of the Guildhall Shopping Centre and derelict former Co-op Department store, which sits at the heart of Stafford. This project marks a vital step toward the area’s regeneration and we look forward to playing our part by paving the way for the future developments.

“With our extensive experience in managing similar projects, we are committed to handling the process with the utmost care and respect for local heritage. In close partnership with Stafford Borough Council, we hope to demonstrate our commitment to the community and environment by upholding strong social values throughout the process. We look forward to contributing to a place that will become a lasting source of local pride for years to come.”

Press Release No 6160