A £50million new-look for a Staffordshire town is shaping up to be completed by Christmas next year.

The first phase of the Hednesford Gateway development is already well under way.

Cannock Chase Council’s town centre regeneration leader, Councillor Diane Todd, was given a guided tour of the new development yesterday by Mark Watkins, a senior surveyor for developers St Modwen.

Mr Watkins revealed that construction work, which began in April, is progressing on target.

People are already able to use the new free car park outside the upcoming Hednesford Bingo Club and the small retail outlets facing Rugeley Road.

The new Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) building, which will sit between a Tesco store and Hednesford Park is beginning to take shape.

Mr Watkins predicts the handover of the cadet and bingo properties will be this autumn, with many retailers expressing an interest in the Rugeley Road facing units.

Tesco should be fully operational in time for next year’s build-up to Christmas. Demolition works to prepare for the new retail units on Market Street has also begun.