New Cannock retail park will bring welcome jobs as major names sign up

A new retail park creating more than 100 jobs will be built in Cannock, with Costa Coffee, Burger King and CSL Sofas already signed up for the development.

One other unconfirmed household name could also open on the redundant grass island in between three roundabouts at the Churchbridge interchange on the outskirts of the town.

The multi-million pound plans from Hortons' Estate Developments Ltd and Trebor Developments have been submitted to Cannock Chase Council.

Called the Cannock Gateway Retail Park, the new four-building development covering 5.8 acres will be located opposite the existing Orbital Retail Park close to the A460, A5 and junction 7 of the M6 Toll. Around 120 full and part-time jobs are due to be created by the four stores.

In a report to planners, the developers state: "This is a significant investment into the area in terms of job creation and will have a number of positive benefits.

"The nature of the retail proposals will secure local jobs for the local workforce. In addition to the direct jobs that will be created as part of the development proposals there will also be a number of indirect benefits that will also arise."

Drivers would see this view of the development, which would be called the Cannock Gateway Retail Park

These benefits are listed as the construction jobs which will be created when building work gets under way, workers' spending at the site and business rate incomes.

The scheme was today welcomed by Cannock Chase Council leader George Adamson.

He said: "It is great news as we desperately need more jobs to be created. This is a welcome investment in Cannock for an unused area which we have all got used to driving past.

"I can't foresee there being any problems with this scheme and understand the Highways department at the county council are happy that extra traffic will be able to cope."

The new Burger King would include a 'drive-thru', and will be the first in the Cannock area.

Costa Coffee is part of Whitbread Plc which owns the Premier Inn and The Orbital pub opposite the proposed site. The company also has a coffee shop in Cannock Shopping Centre.

CSL is a privately owned family business and is an upmarket sofa and home furnishings specialist. In the Midlands area, the company currently has stores in Stoke and Solihull.

The plans will come before the council's planning committee in October.