New designer outlet village planned for Cannock

The scheme earmarked for land in Cannock could create up to 800 jobs and council chiefs have today welcomed the project hailing it as a boost for the area.

Bosses behind the ambitious development say it will rival the likes of Bicester Village in Oxford and Cheshire Oaks.

Big names such as Superdry, Paul Smith and Ralph Lauren are likely to open at the site off Lichfield Road next to Mill Green Nature Reserve and it will be the biggest outlet village in the Midlands.

Cannock Chase Council leader George Adamson was among those who have welcomed the development and he said it was 'fantastic news'.

The multi-million pound 307,000sqft retail destination will boast up to 130 stores, five or six restaurants and a cinema.

A 2,000 space car park is also included in the scheme.

Rioja Developments and Development Securities PLC are working together on the project and hope to submit a planning application later this year.

Giles Membrey, managing director of Rioja Developments, said: "We are excited to be looking at an opportunity to develop a designer outlet village in Cannock for the West Midlands, especially as we know that there is limited choice in terms of this type of destination in the region.

"Our own market research and site searches clearly show that Mill Green is the best location in the West Midlands for our proposed scheme.

"This development will create hundreds of local jobs and trigger a much-needed injection of inward investment in the area.

"It will rival the likes of Bicester and Cheshire Oaks and the brands will be top end quality ones. This is a development for the West Midlands, not just Cannock."

He added Cannock was chosen as it had excellent transport links being so close to the M6.

A consultation will soon be launched to gage public opinion on the scheme. Plans will then be submitted to the district council later in the year.

If the proposals are approved, the outlet village could open by the end of 2017.