The closure of several shops and the relocation of Marks & Spencer prompted a borough councillor to compare a town to Beirut.
The paved area surrounding Market Square in Stafford. Photo: Leah Cassady
He said: “The centre of Stafford, and especially the north end, is populated with empty shops and a general air of neglect which must act as a deterrent to those thinking of visiting and shopping here. Whilst the work on the Market Square will help, it comes after years of neglect with a complete failure to properly maintain and repair it.
Conservative Councillor Mark Winnington described the motion as “bizarre” and said that Shire Hall was not empty. And fellow Conservative Councillor Frances Beatty, cabinet member for economic development and planning, told the meeting that a number of buildings had been brought back into use, including Shire Hall which was previously home to the town’s main library and an art gallery.
“Any empty buildings are a loss in two ways; firstly a loss in footfall as people who worked in them or used them brought life and business to the town. There is a huge building which is empty and has been for a number of years – the Wedgwood Building. “The town centre transformation programme, at a total cost of over £20m, includes major improvements to Stafford’s Market Square which you can see taking place now. Then there is the transformation and re-purposing of Shire Hall which has created the enterprise hub.
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