Land previously occupied by a Stafford shopping centre has been earmarked for the town's new indoor market area, while new houses and apartments could be built on other former retail space, a blueprint for future development has revealed.

Up to 200 new homes, more than 3,000 square metres of commercial space and 6,000 square metres of education space are proposed in the Stafford Town Centre Development Framework.

The spaces set for redevelopment have all been purchased by Stafford Borough Council as part of its ambitious plans to regenerate the town centre.

The authority was awarded £14.3m from the Government's Future High Streets Fund in December 2020, which was used to purchase a number of commercial properties.

Previously the former Co-op Department Store in Greengate Street was earmarked to become Stafford's new market hall. Since being bought by the borough council the 1970s building has been demolished, with just the 1930s façade being retained.

The new town centre development framework now proposes a market hall be located at the former Guildhall Shopping Centre.

The previous indoor market venue, which was located next to the shopping mall, closed in 2024 and has been pulled down as part of the centre and multi storey car park demolition, with only historic frontages and the former Chapel Tower remaining.

Land formerly occupied by the indoor market hall and multistorey car park is set to be re-purposed for mixed commercial and business use as well as town houses, apartments and parking.

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Terraced houses and apartments are earmarked for the former Guildhall management suite, gym and car park off Earl Street.

Last year Stafford Borough Council announced further purchases of other town centre sites in Broad Street and Gaolgate Street.

Planning permission is being sought to demolish the former Broad Street Wilko site, which also includes a shopmobility unit and public toilets, and 10-12 Gaolgate Street.

The Broad Street land is identified for educational use, to enable Newcastle and Stafford College Group to expand its Stafford College campus. And 10-12 Greengate Street, along with the former Co-op Department Store site, would be transformed into apartments.

The development framework was presented to Stafford Borough Council's cabinet at its meeting on Thursday (April 9).

A report to the cabinet said: "With the continued rise of online shopping, the economic impact of the pandemic and the associated fundamental changes to the way that people live, work and choose to spend their free time, high streets up and down the country have struggled to adapt.

"For the council to be at its most effective in attracting investment, removing third party land interests was key.

"As landowner of these strategic sites across the town centre the council can better control and influence the type, scale, design and function of new buildings and public spaces.

"The new market hall sitting right in the heart of the town centre will complement the existing retail offer to attract footfall, support businesses and act as a community hub. Earmarking the former Wilko site for the College reinforces Stafford's role as a hub for learning and skills.

"The proposals will result in a change to the way the town centre looks and feels and will see a shift away from tired and vacant shopfronts in a high street that operates primarily in the daytime to a place that people are proud to live in and, equally importantly, want to spend their time in."

Cabinet members approved the development framework at Thursday's meeting.

They also agreed for a public engagement exercise to be carried out with residents, businesses and other stakeholders.

Deputy leader Rob Kenney, who has responsibility for town centres, said: "The overall vision is the council transform the north of Stafford town centre into a vibrant place to live, work and socialise, less reliant on retail and more mixed use, attractive and connected.

"There will be more homes in the town centre, which will make it feel alive beyond shopping hours, easier access to amenities, potential for affordable housing in some areas, better places to meet and socialise and a new modern market hall with food, events and possibly a community hub.

"There will be an expansion hopefully to Stafford College, with more training and skills opportunities.

"There will be a focus on heritage buildings, high quality design and strong county town identity.

"There has been criticism about the demolition and it being left as a rubble landscape, but this is not going to be the case. A lot of hard work has been put in by council officers and their teams, thus providing a blank canvas to bring in high quality developers.

"We already have many developers expressing interest in working with us to bring this project forward.

"The project will have a huge positive impact in making Stafford into the county town it should be."

Fellow cabinet members welcomed the framework.

Cllr Tony Pearce, cabinet member for climate action and nature recovery, said: "It talks about the development complementing the existing townscape, conservation area and Listed Buildings and respecting heritage assets.

"I think that's absolutely crucial in terms of complementing and adding to the town's heritage assets, so I'm very pleased that's a key part of this design brief. I'm also pleased that it talks about, where practicable, the highest practicable energy efficiency using low embodied carbon materials."

Cllr Ian Fordham, cabinet member for environment, said: "I think this is a truly exciting opportunity to create a positive and lasting legacy for this council, its officers and its members, but also to the significant benefit of our existing and future residents. I'm totally supportive."

Cllr Ant Reid, cabinet member for economic development and planning, said: "Every time I talk to people in the town they want this vision. One thing that keeps coming up is there is nowhere for this town's youth to go – do you agree this framework is a good opportunity to provide what's missing for our town's youngsters?"

Council leader Aidan Godfrey said: "It's a very exciting report – it shows you how hard our officers have been working over the last few months on plans for the future and talking to developers.

"There are things going on in the background that most of us don't know."