Transformation of Stafford town centre to be discussed this month

A major new blueprint for Stafford town centre is set to be discussed next month, with proposals that could reshape the north of the town centre over the coming years. Stafford Borough Council’s cabinet is due to consider the Stafford Town Centre Development Framework on 9 April, along with the next steps for delivering the regeneration programme.

The framework focuses on council-owned sites in the northern part of the town centre, including the former Guildhall Shopping Centre and market site, the former Co-op site, and the former Wilko site. Together, the regeneration area covers around 2.4 hectares.

Council papers say the plans are designed to move Stafford away from an over-reliance on old-style retail and towards a more mixed town centre with homes, education, food and drink, commercial space and improved public realm. The framework itself says the vision is to create a vibrant, inclusive and future-ready destination where people want to shop, socialise, learn, spend time and invest.

What is being proposed

If fully realised, the plans could bring:

• up to 200 new homes

• more than 3,000 square metres of commercial space including a new market hall

• around 6,000 square metres of education space to support Stafford College

• just under 3,000 square metres of improved public space

The framework identifies six development areas:

• Market Hall

• Residential and Mixed-Use North

• Residential South

• Mixed Use, Gaolgate

• Broad Street

• Public Realm areas across the wider scheme

Council papers stress that the drawings and visuals are illustrative at this stage. They are intended to show the ambition and broad type of development being sought, rather than final approved designs.

Why the council says change is needed

The report says town centres across the country have struggled because of online shopping, the long-term effects of the pandemic, and wider changes in how people live, work and spend their time. It says Stafford’s regeneration programme has been focused on two priorities: creating a more welcoming county town and unlocking redevelopment through strategic land acquisition.

The framework also lists some of the main challenges in this part of Stafford, including a decline in demand for large retail space, a lack of town centre housing, weak connections between key streets and landmarks, inconsistent public realm, and a growing need for more education space.

What has already happened

A lot of the groundwork has already been done.

The council says it now owns the former Guildhall Shopping Centre, former Co-op department store, former Wilko store and 10 to 12 Gaolgate Street, giving it much greater control over what happens next. It also says the main demolition works at the former Guildhall and Co-op are largely complete.

The report says this public sector intervention has helped unlock landmark development opportunities and reduce risk for private investors. Appendix 2 describes the council as taking a more interventionist role as a master developer, rather than leaving everything entirely to the private sector.

A closer look at each area

1. Market Hall

The former Guildhall shopping mall site is earmarked for a new market hall with food, beverage and retail uses. The framework says this could become an anchor for the north of the town centre, creating space for independent vendors, retail and events, while also acting as a community hub.

2. Residential and Mixed-Use North

The former multistorey car park and indoor market hall area is proposed for townhouses, apartments, some commercial, business and service space, plus associated parking. The framework’s development schedule suggests this area could deliver around 93 homes.

3. Residential South

The former Guildhall management suite, gym and car park off Earl Street is proposed for terraced houses and apartments. The framework says this part of the scheme could help improve the setting of St Mary’s Church and create active frontages along Earl Street. The development schedule suggests around 47 homes here.

4. Mixed Use, Gaolgate

The former Co-op and 10 to 12 Gaolgate Street are proposed for apartments in a mixed-use setting. The development framework says the Co-op site has been vacant for more than ten years and offers a high-profile gateway opportunity into Stafford’s northern town centre. The schedule suggests around 60 homes, plus around 445 square metres of business, commercial and service space.

5. Broad Street

The former Wilko, Shopmobility unit and public toilets site is proposed for education use. Council papers say this is intended to support the expansion of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, which has already grown through the Institute of Technology campus and another recent building acquisition, but still needs more space because of demand.

6. Public Realm

Across the wider scheme, the framework proposes new and improved public spaces to better connect key parts of the town, strengthen the setting of heritage assets and make the northern town centre easier to walk around and spend time in. The framework talks about improved views and links between places such as Market Square, St Mary’s Church and Chapel Tower.

What happens next

If approved by cabinet, the council wants to begin a public engagement exercise with residents, businesses and other stakeholders. The report says this will be used to explain what the plans could mean in practice for Stafford, including issues such as parking during and after construction.

The council also wants to use the development framework to help attract development partners. Officers are due to take the framework to UKREiiF in May 2026, with the aim of securing the first contractual arrangements by the end of the year.

So while this is not a final planning application for the whole town centre, it is a big step in showing what Stafford Borough Council now wants the future of the town centre to look like.