Cannock aiming to attract big name shops

A shopping complex boasting names such as Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and Next is being lined up for a car park in Staffordshire.

Council bosses aim to attract "aspirational" retailers to the site.

They have now approved a plan to inform developers about the potential of the 200-space Beecroft Road car park in Cannock town centre.

The main option for the site is large, modern stores built around a central public area.

Up to 150,000 sq ft of retail-leisure space would be created over a number of floors. The adjacent subway would also be enhanced to improve links to the town centre.

Economic development boss Gordon Alcott said: "This is something we urgently need to do. Investing in Cannock town centre is one of our main priorities.

"We face stiff competition from Lichfield, Stafford and Walsall and we want to get our town centre up and running. This is not an easy thing to do but it is a priority."

Cannock Chase Council is hoping to lure big names to the site by offering much larger stores than currently exist in the town centre. Compulsory purchase orders would be used to acquire any surrounding land needed for the larger shops.

Town centre regeneration chief Councillor Diane Todd said: "We want these bigger names to come in, and we have to look at developing this site to achieve that."

The council-owned car park brings in £300,000 a year. Some parking would be retained at the site.

The council will use a site report approved at last night's cabinet meeting to carry out market research and test the water with potential developers.