Revamp for former Co-op building in town centre

The former Co-op department store in Stafford is due to be transformed into a food hall and market as well as retail and residential space

A former Co-op department store has been given a facelift after more than a decade of lying derelict.

Stafford Borough Council hopes the initiative will attract more investment into the town centre, as it progresses plans to turn the former Co-op into a food court as well as a market plus residential and retail space.

The council said it had dressed the frontage of the store to promote some of the investment being made in the area.

This includes plans for the Guildhall Shopping Centre and the recently renovated Market Square - as well as plans for land in front of, and behind, Stafford Railway Station.

Council leader, Aidan Godfrey, said the revamp not only improved the former store’s presence on the high street, but would also give confidence to investors that there was major regeneration taking place.

“We want everyone to know about Project Stafford - we want residents and shoppers to share the news that there are exciting times ahead for the county town,” he said.

Work to enhance the entrance and approach to the town’s railway station is due to get underway in the summer, the council added,

Other proposals could see a hotel, multi-storey car park, businesses and homes on brownfield land behind the train station.

Rob Kenney, deputy council leader, said: “We want residents to be proud of their county town, we want visitors to come and shop, we want people to socialise and spend time using hospitality venues, and we want businesses to invest.”