'Dangerous and eyesore' car park could be demolished in Cannock

The eyesore car park, off Ringway, could make way for a multi-million pound development featuring a cinema, a gym and restaurants.

It comes after Cannock Chase District Council’s cabinet approved a document outlining proposals to halt the town centre’s decline, which could include a destination area with leisure facilities.

Part of the council’s vision is to partially demolish the car park, built in 1977, and attract developers to the site.

The car park was closed in August because of structural concerns.

St Modwen, the car park’s operator, said it took the decision for the safety of its users.

Deputy council leader Gordon Alcott told the Express & Star: “We have got visions that the site could be a cinema, dining facilities, a gym, recreation facilities, sporting facilities and a whole host of things that could be bought in.

“We will be meeting developers between now and October to see what they come up with.

“We know what we want - but we want to see what they can do for us.”

However demolition has not yet been rubber-stamped by the council.

Fate

It is still an option on the table at this stage, with council bosses set to discuss the car park’s fate later this year.

A number of options will be presented at a future meeting including partial demolition of the building.

But council bosses still consider the building an eyesore.

It is one of six sites in Cannock that has been prioritised for redevelopment.

The car park was forced shut to the public in August due to health and safety fears.

Demolition work could start this year if the plans are approved.

Councillor Alcott continued: “We have decided to redevelop one of, or all of, our six sites, making a start on the multi-storey car park.

“We had to close the car park because it was dangerous.

“A structural engineer’s report said it was dangerous and it couldn’t be used.

“We are hoping that we can start with the demolition before the end of this year.

“That is our intention to make a gateway into the town for developers to see our intentions and start the project off.”