A plan to rejuvenate the heart of Rugeley is being put together by the district council.

The scheme aims to turn the town centre into a vibrant commercial and leisure hotspot to compete with Stafford and Lichfield.

Council officers are looking to unveil recommendations from a Manchester-based consultancy which has been examining how Rugeley can remain competitive.

It is understood the proposals will focus on 10 sites and involve food outlets, shopping premises, commercial leisure activities and residential schemes. A number of suggestions are likely to be put before the council’s cabinet next month for approval, with a final scheme drawn up by spring.

To put the plans into action, the council will need to sign a deal with a developer who will take a lead on the major schemes. This could be St Modwen, which is spearheading the regeneration of Hednesford, or Pritchard Holdings, which is pursuing the new Avon Plaza complex in Cannock.

John Heminsley, planning services manager at the council, said: “The purpose of the plan is to identify Rugeley’s improvement opportunities. 

“I can’t say at this stage what the suggestions could be, as it is a very early stage.

“Rugeley has had no major investment in terms of shopping or leisure since the 1980s.

“There are different approaches to all three towns in Cannock Chase but the overall aim is to see all three rejuvenated and improved,” he added.