What can realistically be done with the old Co-Op?

[Theresa Green]

Declan’s Blog: Stafford Chamber LAAB meet to discuss town improvements​

A group of our Stafford Chamber Local Area Advisory Board (LAAB) members recently joined the Deputy CEO of Stafford Borough Council, Gregg Stott, to have a look at the center of our County Town and identify some key discussion points on how to boost footfall and improve access.
In the space of an hour, we identified a number of areas which, if addressed, could help to significantly improve the appearance of the County Town. Commercial waste bins are an eyesore and moving these to the back of premises helps to increase space for pedestrians. Many commercial premises are blighted by graffiti, which creates a negative image.
During the previous week, it was announced that Stafford Borough Council had agreed to buy the town’s old Co-op department store as part of major transformation plans for the area. We welcome this news and see it as a very positive step in addressing the decline in both footfall and trade in the north end of Stafford Town Center. The acquisition of the former Co-op Department store will bring empty commercial premises back into use.
Like many towns across the country, Stafford has seen a drop in footfall, largely driven by changes in shopping patterns/habits and changes in working patterns following the pandemic, with many workers opting to work from home for part, or even all of the week. Aspirations to fill empty commercial premises with retail continues to be a challenge and we acknowledge that one option is to look at conversion from retail into residential. A growing town center population will use town center retailers and spend money in the many leisure and hospitality venues across the center of Stafford and we very much recognize the positive benefits that this can bring.
However, we continue make the call for more public services to be brought into the center of Stafford. We really believe that this will drive footfall into the County Town. One example could be the transfer of certain outpatient services. At present, service users are traveling to County Hospital, which either involves a journey of two buses or driving around and looking for a car park space. Having outpatient services in the center of Stafford would bring users into town by bus or train or using some of the town’s car parks.
Once in town, service users are likely to support other retailers, whether in the form of grabbing a coffee, collecting some dry cleaning or doing a food shop. It supports our hard-pressed town center retailers and can make a real difference. Having a retail option at the former Co-op store is a good thing but we would really welcome the scope to bring in more service provision for businesses, with office space and even business hubs for start-up entrepreneurs, as well as hot-desking space for those wanting to work for part of the week.
If you have any suggestions about how we can drive footfall into our County Town, our Stafford Chamber LAAB would be delighted to hear from you. Your suggestions can be forwarded to: declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk





https://staffordshirechambers.co.uk...amber-laab-meet-to-discuss-town-improvements/

Oh my God ! ( there isn’t one )


Your life in their hands

 

[proactive]

Declan’s Blog: Stafford Chamber LAAB meet to discuss town improvements​

A group of our Stafford Chamber Local Area Advisory Board (LAAB) members recently joined the Deputy CEO of Stafford Borough Council, Gregg Stott, to have a look at the center of our County Town and identify some key discussion points on how to boost footfall and improve access.
In the space of an hour, we identified a number of areas which, if addressed, could help to significantly improve the appearance of the County Town. Commercial waste bins are an eyesore and moving these to the back of premises helps to increase space for pedestrians. Many commercial premises are blighted by graffiti, which creates a negative image.
During the previous week, it was announced that Stafford Borough Council had agreed to buy the town’s old Co-op department store as part of major transformation plans for the area. We welcome this news and see it as a very positive step in addressing the decline in both footfall and trade in the north end of Stafford Town Center. The acquisition of the former Co-op Department store will bring empty commercial premises back into use.
Like many towns across the country, Stafford has seen a drop in footfall, largely driven by changes in shopping patterns/habits and changes in working patterns following the pandemic, with many workers opting to work from home for part, or even all of the week. Aspirations to fill empty commercial premises with retail continues to be a challenge and we acknowledge that one option is to look at conversion from retail into residential. A growing town center population will use town center retailers and spend money in the many leisure and hospitality venues across the center of Stafford and we very much recognize the positive benefits that this can bring.
However, we continue make the call for more public services to be brought into the center of Stafford. We really believe that this will drive footfall into the County Town. One example could be the transfer of certain outpatient services. At present, service users are traveling to County Hospital, which either involves a journey of two buses or driving around and looking for a car park space. Having outpatient services in the center of Stafford would bring users into town by bus or train or using some of the town’s car parks.
Once in town, service users are likely to support other retailers, whether in the form of grabbing a coffee, collecting some dry cleaning or doing a food shop. It supports our hard-pressed town center retailers and can make a real difference. Having a retail option at the former Co-op store is a good thing but we would really welcome the scope to bring in more service provision for businesses, with office space and even business hubs for start-up entrepreneurs, as well as hot-desking space for those wanting to work for part of the week.
If you have any suggestions about how we can drive footfall into our County Town, our Stafford Chamber LAAB would be delighted to hear from you. Your suggestions can be forwarded to: declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk





https://staffordshirechambers.co.uk...amber-laab-meet-to-discuss-town-improvements/

The last place I want to go for outpatient treatment is in the town centre and certainly not by bus or by car waiting forever for an appointment with a parking ticket expiry hanging over me.

Most of this claptrap is pie in the sky fantasy by people who don't live in the real world.

Office space? In 2023? Oh FFS!

Open the right businesses in town, with an appropriate mix of leisure and accomodation and people will come.

Do what this prat wants and even more money will be wasted and things will only get worse.

They'll be taking Shakespeare away from the castle next...

 

[littleme]

The last place I want to go for outpatient treatment is in the town centre and certainly not by bus or by car waiting forever for an appointment with a parking ticket expiry hanging over me.

Most of this claptrap is pie in the sky fantasy by people who don't live in the real world.

Office space? In 2023? Oh FFS!

Open the right businesses in town, with an appropriate mix of leisure and accomodation and people will come.

Do what this prat wants and even more money will be wasted and things will only get worse.

They'll be taking Shakespeare away from the castle next...

Hmmmm I have 2 outpatient appointments comming up, one at county hospital & one at Cannock hospital.... both have paid for car parks...both stressful for me when money is tight... last time I went to a & e I got the carer to drop me then pick me up when I was done , so sat on my own with a head injury like Billy no mates....the parking was too much of an issue at that time . For my next two appointments I could be there all day! .....I bet it's the same for lots of people...


....and before anyone says....bus fare is even more expensive...

 

[Mudgie]

Hmmmm I have 2 outpatient appointments comming up, one at county hospital & one at Cannock hospital.... both have paid for car parks...both stressful for me when money is tight... last time I went to a & e I got the carer to drop me then pick me up when I was done , so sat on my own with a head injury like Billy no mates....the parking was too much of an issue at that time . For my next two appointments I could be there all day! .....I bet it's the same for lots of people...


....and before anyone says....bus fare is even more expensive...

bus fare is even more expensive...
£2 each way ?

 

[littleme]

bus fare is even more expensive...
£2 each way ?

Not last time I went when the car was in for MOT..2 bus journeys there, 2 back...each costing over 2.50 at the time....litterally was nearly £15 on the bus....about 7 years go..

 

[Thehooperman]

Not last time I went when the car was in for MOT..2 bus journeys there, 2 back...each costing over 2.50 at the time....litterally was nearly £15 on the bus....about 7 years go..

The £2 bus fare for a single journey has been extended to Dec 2024 now.

So it would be £4 each way if it's two bus journeys to get there.

 

[proactive]

The £2 bus fare for a single journey has been extended to Dec 2024 now.

So it would be £4 each way if it's two bus journeys to get there.

That's not bad and easy less than a taxi. But not as cheap or as convenient as a car if you live in Stafford (possibly excluding parking). Personally the last thing I'd want if going to hospital would be to mix with the Great British Public but that could be just me.

 

[Mudgie]

That's not bad and easy less than a taxi. But not as cheap or as convenient as a car if you live in Stafford (possibly excluding parking). Personally the last thing I'd want if going to hospital would be to mix with the Great British Public but that could be just me.

and I'm not at all sure that the Great British Public but would be to mix with you !

 

[proactive]

and I'm not at all sure that the Great British Public but would be to mix with you !

I'd imagine they most certainly would not.

 

[Jonah]

We all know public transport in this country isn't what it could be or even isn't what it should be (at the minimum). The whole country has been developed to be travelled around in a car. Bus fares are expensive, trains fares are even more ridiculous.

 

[Thehooperman]

We all know public transport in this country isn't what it could be or even isn't what it should be (at the minimum). The whole country has been developed to be travelled around in a car. Bus fares are expensive, trains fares are even more ridiculous.

Bus fares aren't expensive at the moment at £2 a single fare.

The problem is that the service is shite especially when it finishes at 18.30 in the evening.

 

[Mudgie]

Bus fares aren't expensive at the moment at £2 a single fare.

The problem is that the service is shite especially when it finishes at 18.30 in the evening.

6.30pm if you're lucky.
The last bus back from Brewood leaves five hours earlier at 1.26pm.
The last '10' service for Kingston Hill leaves town even earlier at 12.15pm.

 

[Jonah]

Last time I went on a bus it was £2.70 from Baswich into town. I would have to walk half a mile to the nearest bus route from where I live. They used to go past the bottom of my road at one time. But there again, mini buses were every 10 minutes then.

 

[proactive]

Last time I went on a bus it was £2.70 from Baswich into town. I would have to walk half a mile to the nearest bus route from where I live. They used to go past the bottom of my road at one time. But there again, mini buses were every 10 minutes then.

It's called progress.

 

[Cue]

The last place I want to go for outpatient treatment is in the town centre and certainly not by bus or by car waiting forever for an appointment with a parking ticket expiry hanging over me.

Most of this claptrap is pie in the sky fantasy by people who don't live in the real world.

Office space? In 2023? Oh FFS!

Open the right businesses in town, with an appropriate mix of leisure and accomodation and people will come.

Do what this prat wants and even more money will be wasted and things will only get worse.

They'll be taking Shakespeare away from the castle next...

Office space (especially hot desk and startup stuff) in town would certainly promote use of local businesses, however rates usually kill it…

Our last unit was bigger than one in Weston Road but was zero rates due to rate relief, a smaller office on Weston Road hits full whack IIRC

 

[Wormella]

Office space (especially hot desk and startup stuff) in town would certainly promote use of local businesses, however rates usually kill it…

Our last unit was bigger than one in Weston Road but was zero rates due to rate relief, a smaller office on Weston Road hits full whack IIRC

Some of that exists in the Shire Hall, but I've no idea what the occupancy is like

 

[Cue]

Some of that exists in the Shire Hall, but I've no idea what the occupancy is like

Honestly old premises are a pain in the rear for office space, really difficult to work with

 

[joshua]

First look at the future transformation of derelict Stafford department store​

31/10/2023​

The first images of how a derelict department store could look on Stafford High Street have been revealed.
Stafford Borough Council has released computer generated images of proposals for the former Co-op building in the town’s Gaolgate Street.
Last month senior Councillors gave the green light to buy the large iconic store which has been empty for more than a decade with proposals to convert into a mix of retail, food court, residential and market use as part of a major transformation of the area.
The images show how the traditional parts of the front of the building in Gaolgate Street will be retained with the rest being transformed. The second image focuses on the rejuvenation of the inside of the old store and the potential for a food hall.
The money to purchase the store was secured by the council from the government’s Future High Street Fund (FHSF). The FHSF has already supported the recent refurbishment of the town’s Market Square and work to improve the approach and entrance to Stafford Railway Station, which will get underway in the coming months.
Leader of the council, Aidan Godfrey, said these were exciting times for the future of the center of the county town.
“Improving the town center was the number one issue for local people - and it is now the top priority of this council. We are pushing ahead with some fantastic plans for our town and it is exciting to have a glimpse of what this run-down, former department store could look like in the future.
Deputy Leader, Rob Kenney, who is leading on the town center transformation, said: “What we are doing sends a strong message to potential businesses and investors that this is a town with big ambitions and a council who is prepared to take the lead to make that evolution happen.
“We will deliver a center fit for the County Town, that residents will be proud of, businesses will want to invest in, and visitors will come to shop, eat and drink, socialize and spend their free time.
“Local people have waited a long time to see something happening and the plans we have for this prominent, disused building in the heart of the town center is a huge statement of our intent.”
Confidential discussions are still taking place around other changes to the town center which form part of the Future High Street Fund programme.
There is significant investment being made in the county town with other projects underway or recently delivered such as the Staffordshire History Center and the business hub at Shire Hall, which is reaching full capacity, and plans taking shape around the Stafford Station Gateway and Eastgate areas of town.
Press Release No 6081

 

[Mudgie]

First look at the future transformation of derelict Stafford department store​

31/10/2023​

The first images of how a derelict department store could look on Stafford High Street have been revealed.
Stafford Borough Council has released computer generated images of proposals for the former Co-op building in the town’s Gaolgate Street.
Last month senior Councillors gave the green light to buy the large iconic store which has been empty for more than a decade with proposals to convert into a mix of retail, food court, residential and market use as part of a major transformation of the area.
The images show how the traditional parts of the front of the building in Gaolgate Street will be retained with the rest being transformed. The second image focuses on the rejuvenation of the inside of the old store and the potential for a food hall.
The money to purchase the store was secured by the council from the government’s Future High Street Fund (FHSF). The FHSF has already supported the recent refurbishment of the town’s Market Square and work to improve the approach and entrance to Stafford Railway Station, which will get underway in the coming months.
Leader of the council, Aidan Godfrey, said these were exciting times for the future of the center of the county town.
“Improving the town center was the number one issue for local people - and it is now the top priority of this council. We are pushing ahead with some fantastic plans for our town and it is exciting to have a glimpse of what this run-down, former department store could look like in the future.
Deputy Leader, Rob Kenney, who is leading on the town center transformation, said: “What we are doing sends a strong message to potential businesses and investors that this is a town with big ambitions and a council who is prepared to take the lead to make that evolution happen.
“We will deliver a center fit for the County Town, that residents will be proud of, businesses will want to invest in, and visitors will come to shop, eat and drink, socialize and spend their free time.
“Local people have waited a long time to see something happening and the plans we have for this prominent, disused building in the heart of the town center is a huge statement of our intent.”
Confidential discussions are still taking place around other changes to the town center which form part of the Future High Street Fund programme.
There is significant investment being made in the county town with other projects underway or recently delivered such as the Staffordshire History Center and the business hub at Shire Hall, which is reaching full capacity, and plans taking shape around the Stafford Station Gateway and Eastgate areas of town.
Press Release No 6081

"on Stafford High Street"
No where did I put my Staffordshire A to Z ?

And "center" another seven times.

 

[Feed The Goat]

First look at the future transformation of derelict Stafford department store​

31/10/2023​

The first images of how a derelict department store could look on Stafford High Street have been revealed.
Stafford Borough Council has released computer generated images of proposals for the former Co-op building in the town’s Gaolgate Street.
Last month senior Councillors gave the green light to buy the large iconic store which has been empty for more than a decade with proposals to convert into a mix of retail, food court, residential and market use as part of a major transformation of the area.
The images show how the traditional parts of the front of the building in Gaolgate Street will be retained with the rest being transformed. The second image focuses on the rejuvenation of the inside of the old store and the potential for a food hall.
The money to purchase the store was secured by the council from the government’s Future High Street Fund (FHSF). The FHSF has already supported the recent refurbishment of the town’s Market Square and work to improve the approach and entrance to Stafford Railway Station, which will get underway in the coming months.
Leader of the council, Aidan Godfrey, said these were exciting times for the future of the center of the county town.
“Improving the town center was the number one issue for local people - and it is now the top priority of this council. We are pushing ahead with some fantastic plans for our town and it is exciting to have a glimpse of what this run-down, former department store could look like in the future.
Deputy Leader, Rob Kenney, who is leading on the town center transformation, said: “What we are doing sends a strong message to potential businesses and investors that this is a town with big ambitions and a council who is prepared to take the lead to make that evolution happen.
“We will deliver a center fit for the County Town, that residents will be proud of, businesses will want to invest in, and visitors will come to shop, eat and drink, socialize and spend their free time.
“Local people have waited a long time to see something happening and the plans we have for this prominent, disused building in the heart of the town center is a huge statement of our intent.”
Confidential discussions are still taking place around other changes to the town center which form part of the Future High Street Fund programme.
There is significant investment being made in the county town with other projects underway or recently delivered such as the Staffordshire History Center and the business hub at Shire Hall, which is reaching full capacity, and plans taking shape around the Stafford Station Gateway and Eastgate areas of town.
Press Release No 6081

No need for any planning permission nonsense. SBC planning rubber stamps SBC the developer.