Co-op to be demolished for town centre regeneration

Plans to demolish a landmark department store as part of a town centre’s regeneration have been given the green light.

The old Co-op on Gaolgate Street, Stafford, closed more than 10 years ago and the building has been vacant ever since.

Stafford Borough Council agreed to buy the site last year and wants to transform it into a residential and commercial space as part of the area's redevelopment.

The authority’s planning committee approved an application to demolish the 1970s building, with the 1930s façade fronting Gaolgate Street set to be retained.

Councillor Julian Thorley told Wednesday’s committee meeting the redevelopment would be “good for the town”.

“We have got to do the demolition to carry forward the plans further down the line,” he added.

Proposals for the commercial aspect of the redevelopment include a food court and market space, with a planning application set to come forward in the coming months.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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