Giant new Tesco store taking shape

These pictures show the progress being made on the new multi-million pound Tesco supermarket in Hednesford.

Work is forging ahead on the store, which will bring hundreds of jobs to the town.

Builders started work on the site in June following Cannock Chase Council signing the contract with property developers St Modwen.

The 85,000 sq ft structure is part of Hednesford's £50 million transformation and it is hoped work will be completed by the end of the year.

There will be a 640-space car park with a row of non-food shops, a community hall and shopping kiosk, along with a new bus stop.

The supermarket is being built similar to the Tesco in Lichfield, on stilts with car parking spaces below.

Hednesford town councillor John O'Leary said it will a huge boost to the area.

He said: "I think this development will have a profound effect on the other shops in the area."

Tesco is the second and final stage in the regeneration project, which has also included the building of four retail units facing Rugeley Road at Chase Gateway.

There will also be a community hall built to replace the Aquarius ballroom.

Tesco will create 300 jobs, with up to 100 going to the long-term unemployed.