Borough councillors have given the go-ahead for two former shops in Stafford town centre to be pulled down to make way for new development.

Stafford Borough Council's planning committee unanimously approved the demolition of 8-12 Gaolgate Street at its meeting on Wednesday (August 5).

Part of the site is the former Co-op Department Store – most of which has already been demolished – and 10-12 Gaolgate Street were previously a charity shop and Go Outdoors branch, with a dance studio on the first floor.

The site has been earmarked for re-development to create new apartments as part of Stafford Borough Council's town centre development framework, but the historic frontage of the Co-op Department Store is set to be retained.

Stafford Borough Council bought the site after being awarded £14.3m from the Government's Future High Streets Fund in December 2020.

Last month permission was granted to demolish another shop building acquired by the council – the former Wilko branch in Broad Street.

A report to Wednesday's planning committee meeting said: "The (Gaolgate Street) building dates from 1930-1940.

"According to the site's planning history the site has had a consistent retail/commercial usage.

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"Prior approval was granted (in 2024) for the demolition of the majority of the former Co-op Department Store.

"Permission is sought for demolition of the remaining elements of 8-9 Gaolgate Street, except for the façade which is to be retained, demolition of 10-12 Gaolgate Street (and) site restoration to comprise the site being left clear of voids and holes with materials to be crushed on site."