More town centre properties could be snapped up by council

A council could be about to purchase more town centre properties as part of its transformation plans.

Senior councillors in Stafford have been asked to give the green light to buy two properties at a cabinet meeting tomorrow, 15 May.

The identity of the buildings is being kept confidential due to ‘commercial sensitivities’.

Money for the two ‘key strategic’ sites has become available after contracts to purchase, and carry out work on, the former Co-op department store and Guildhall Shopping Centre came in under budget.

Deputy Leader of Stafford Borough Council, Rob Kenney, who has responsibility for town centres, said: “We have an exciting vision to revitalise the centre of our county town, and we have been very clear that if key strategic property becomes available then we are open to discussions with the owners.

“Already we are attracting interest from investors and if these proposed new acquisitions are approved, we will be creating a footprint for development in the town that will further its appeal to the private sector.”

The report to the cabinet reads: “The deadline for securing contractual commitment for the two acquisitions supported by Future High Street Fund is September 2025, therefore informal initial conversations have already taken place with the current landowners. Both have indicated their willingness to progress the acquisitions in a suitable timescale, and Heads of Terms are in place, subject to Cabinet approvals.”

It continues: “Due to the demolition contracts coming in under the estimated amounts included in the programme there is reduced committed spend against the Future High Street Grant.  

“Both of these sites are included within the boundaries of the Future High Street programme budget and there is funding available within the grant allocation to support the acquisition and demolition costs as set out in the business case reports.”

The local authority secured more than £14 million from the government to help regenerate the town centre. The money has already funded the revamp of the Market Square and improvements to the entrance and approach to Stafford Railway Station which was completed this month.

Work is ongoing on the demolition of part of the former department store and shopping centre. The historic frontages of both buildings will be retained with the council talking with investors on proposals for commercial, retail, and residential developments.

Council Leader Aidan Godfrey, said: “It is great to see how far work has progressed on the sites we have purchased – and that we have successfully negotiated prices for these works that have now allowed us to look at further acquisitions using the government funding. This would be great news for our ambitious vision of transforming Stafford town centre.

“We are meeting with a number of potential investors later this month and can easily demonstrate that ambition, and the progress we have already made, which I am sure will prove even more attractive to them.”