Long-awaited Rugeley Tesco shaping up to open
[gallery] These pictures show the progress of a huge new Tesco store in Rugeley, the latest branch of the supermarket giant's expanding empire to go up in the region.
The building in Rugeley is rapidly taking shape ahead of its scheduled opening on September 30. The long-awaited store, which has been under construction since February, will create 300 jobs.
Cannock Chase Council leader George Adamson said today: "The building is really taking shape. It is well on target and will be a major boost for Rugeley town and its residents when it opens next month."
Plans for the supermarket have been in the pipeline for more than a decade. A £20 million scheme in 2002 was rejected by Government ministers despite widespread support because it was outside the town boundary. A new area action plan by Cannock Chase Council paved the way for the current scheme, which will include a separate restaurant and petrol station.
The 40,000sq ft store is being built on the former Celcon Blockworks site and adjoining land at the junction of Power Station Road and Leathermill Lane.
Money is also being spent on enhancing the local area with improvements to bus services and cycle and footpath links between the store and the town.
Tesco will clean up the canal towpath next to the store and improve the cycleway between the store and the Eastern Bypass.
Demolition began last September. Some 75 jobs have been ringfenced for unemployed people.
