Residents, shoppers and visitors will have another chance to inspect plans for the future of Stafford town centre at a public drop-in session this week.

The session will take place at the Guildhall Shopping Centre from 11am to 3pm on Thursday 27 August. Borough councillors and officers will be available to explain the town centre Development Framework and answer questions.

What the Stafford plans include

The framework sets out proposals for a new market hall with artisan retail, a food court, entertainment and space for business start-ups. It also includes a mix of accommodation, pocket parks, improved public spaces and a proposed expansion of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group facilities.

Historic landmarks and the recognised frontages of the former Guildhall and Co-op buildings would be retained within the redevelopment.

Dozens of people attended an earlier session on Thursday 20 August, including residents and visitors from Newport, Cannock and Telford.

Derek Smith, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years, said: “I think we need to go down the road of more accommodation and eateries in town centres. Town centres need to adapt as it will be the only way we will attract people back.”

Diane Harris, 68, described herself as a born-and-bred Staffordian and said she wanted to see the town transformed as soon as possible.

“What I have seen today looks good — now they have just got to get on with it,” she said.

Council says town centre must evolve

The council bought the former Guildhall Shopping Centre and derelict Co-op department store using government funding. Both have since been demolished, while demolition work is continuing on the former Wilko building earmarked for additional college premises.

Council leader Aidan Godfrey said the previous drop-in had helped people understand the scale of the project and the work still required.

“It was great to show residents, shoppers, and some people who were just visiting Stafford for the day, what our town centre could look like in the future. There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes with still a long way to go,” he said.

He said the aim was to move away from vacant shopfronts and a high street focused mainly on daytime trade towards a place where people want to live and spend time.

Further public sessions are expected in September. More information is available on the Stafford regeneration page.

This article is based on information and quotations supplied by Stafford Borough Council in press release 6321.