Pony trekking centre revamp gallops ahead as expansion promises new jobs
There will be more opportunities for horsing around at a Staffordshire riding and pony trekking centre with a revamped visitor centre and 46 new stables on the way.
The boss of the Cannock Chase-based Chase Trekking Centre Lisa Gregory says she is looking forward to an exciting year after the attraction pulled in a record 17,000 visitors in the year up to last April.
Building work for the new development at the site, in Teddesley Coppice, Penkridge, will start this spring.
Under the scheme, which will create about six new jobs, a new riding school and stables will be built to accommodate more horses and a new medical room.
Over the weekend guests called in to ride on Cannock Chase from as far afield as Loughborough and Lincolnshire.
Miss Gregory said: "We've been here for 19 years and we've achieved a lot.
"But now it's time to take a leap forward to expand and be able to offer lots more facilities.
"There will be a new visitor centre with a coffee shop and a training room, toilets and a new indoor horse riding arena.
"And, of course there will be new stables for all our horses.
"We're looking forward to a really exciting year.
"We've been receiving good visitor numbers even through the winter months. People are looking for something a bit different to do and we tick all those boxes. Cannock Chase is an amazing place to go riding.
"People are travelling from all over the country to get here which is brilliant.
"Some people come weekly, some make it an annual trip, we get groups as well."
The centre is often booked by schools and colleges for organised trips.
It also offers students work experience and horse riding lessons.
The centre covers 40 acres and has 46 horses for trekking activities across the forest.
It is also home to a number of chickens, ducks, cats, dogs, rabbits and a donkey.
Three pygmy goats are also popular draws for visitors to the site.
