Tesco 'interested' in town's £50m plans

Tesco today confirmed its "interest" in developing a new superstore in Staffordshire as the cornerstone of a £50 million regeneration project.

It is the first time the retail giant has acknowledged its potential involvement in the redevelopment of the Victoria Street/bus station site, in Hednesford, as part of the Hednesford Gateway regeneration scheme.

Developer St Modwen revealed earlier this year that Tesco planned to bring an 80,000 sq ft foodstore, creating up to 300 jobs, to the project.

Today Tesco's regional corporate affairs spokesman Owen Dardis said: "We do have an interest in the site but I can't confirm any more until the New Year."

Cannock Chase Council has been working in partnership with St Modwen. Head of planning and regeneration, Bob Phillips, says that subject to planning permission being secured, construction work on a foodstore will start on the site in 2010.

He said: "We have a national foodstore who have signed an agreement for the site but there is a confidentiality agreement in place which stops us from identifying them.

"We anticipate that a planning application for that site will be submitted in the New Year."

Since budget supermarket chain Lidl pulled out of the first stage of redevelopment scheme, at the Rugeley Road end of Market Street, other retailers have been in discussions to take over.

"We are optimistic of making a start on this site in 2010," added Mr Phillips. He was not able to confirm which company would take on the development.

The 17,000 sq ft Lidl store was set to anchor phase one of project, with the Tesco development headlining the second stage. The Hednesford Gateway scheme includes 48,000sq ft of non-food retail, a 17,500 sq ft discount foodstore and new community facilities.