Hednesford's Tesco ready for big opening

And, as this picture shows, work on the new glass-fronted Tesco is almost finished.

The store is due to open on November 26 as part of the revamp of Victoria Shopping Park and bosses are also organising an official opening ceremony. The details of the ceremony are due to be finalised within the next week but it is believed it will include special offers for customers.

Council bosses today thanked residents and businesses for their patience while the huge project went ahead. Councillor Diane Todd, town centre regeneration leader for Cannock Chase Council, said: "I'd like to thank again businesses, residents and shoppers in Hednesford for their patience and support over the last 18 months.

"Works over the next few weeks will make sure that Victoria Shopping Park is completed, ready for the opening of the new Tesco store and I'd like to apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused."

Contractors are now in the final stages of building the store, which measures 80,000 sq ft. There were more than 500 applications for the 140 jobs advertised, 100 of which went to the area's long-term unemployed.

The development at Victoria Shopping Park also includes 600 parking spaces a row of smaller shops such as Costa Coffee and Phones 4 U and a new community centre.

Down Market Street, work is also well under way on an Aldi store alongside the already-open Hednesford Bingo as part of the overall Chase Gateway project by St Modwen.

Shoppers and motorists have been warned to expect disruption for the next three weeks as the final stage of the project takes place.