Controversial Cannock plans shelved

Controversial plans to build a fuel station and convenience store in Cannock have been shelved for at least 18 months.

Prolific developer Fred Pritchard secured outline permission for a station, car wash and convenience store on the site of car showroom Cannock Automobiles, on Stafford Road, in January.

The site was previously used as a petrol station in the 1980s, but neighbouring residents argued the complex could create a traffic hazard for children walking to the nearby Cardinal Griffin High School and customers at Chase Leisure Centre.

Staff at Neighbouring shop Westbourne Avenue Food & Wine previously feared the convenience store would slash their trade.

But Mr Pritchard has now agreed a deal to lease the unit to charity St Giles Hospice, who will open a large furniture store at the site within weeks.

He said: "It could still be used as a petrol station, but that is further down the line. We'll look at the situation in 18 months and, if they do have to move out, we'll endeavour to find them an alternative location to trade from.

"But we may not go along with the petrol station plan, if the charity shop is a success we will look into the option of them staying rather than taking them out of there."

St Giles Hospice will now open their new furniture superstore on Friday April 30, in a ceremony hosted by Fred Pritchard himself.

The superstore will be the 19th in the St Giles shops network which stretches across the region and the second hospice shop to open in Cannock.

Lynwen Truesdale, fund-raising director for St Giles Hospice, said: "We're very much looking forward to welcoming the people of Cannock to our brand new furniture superstore.

"Our existing hospice shop in Wolverhampton Road has been a big hit with shoppers over the years, we are delighted to offer even more opportunities here.

"We wi'll be selling high quality household goods at competitive prices, and of course the money will go towards providing vital care for local people."

The new superstore will open seven days a week. Local people are being invited to donate unwanted items of furniture in good condition and can arrange for items to be collected by calling 01543 575949.