Riverside demolition begins

Demolition work has begun on the former Riverside Recreation Centre in Stafford.

Part of the first floor of the old leisure centre, off South Walls, has already been knocked down.

The site, which has been fenced off, is being cleared ahead of the re-development of the site by Trent City Securities. The gardens of former council houses in South Walls, which will also form part of the development have also been cleared.

The company has been given the site after handing over the new Stafford Leisure Centre in Lammascote Road to the borough council.

The council's cabinet last night agreed that the car park that served Stafford's the old leisure centre should be used to improve long-stay parking in the town centre.

The car park next to the Riverside Recreation Centre, off South Walls, was only used by the public between 4pm and 8am midweek and at weekends and bank holidays.

The land has also been transferred to Trent City Securities who will operate the long stay car park until the re-development work begins.

Cabinet member for planning and regeneration Councillor Doug Davis said that there will be some time before development affects the car park to the rear and side of the building.