Council to buy former department store

Stafford Borough Council is to buy the town’s old Co-op department store as part of its transformation plans for the area.

The council successfully secured more than £14m from the government to transform the High Street in Stafford.

With the £1m restoration of the town’s Market Square nearing completion, and work expected to start this autumn to improve the approach and entrance to Stafford Railway Station, the pace of change is increasing – and the council has announced it is to buy the former Co-op building as the next phase of the programme.

The large building on Gaolgate Street has been derelict for a number of years and plans to be discussed by senior councillors include a mixture of retail and residential use along with improved facilities to accommodate a market inside.

Council leader, Aidan Godfrey, said: “We have made improving the town centre our top priority and we are determined to push ahead in making our vision become a reality.”

Councillors will be asked to give the go-ahead to purchase the building as part of the Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) programme at a meeting next week.