Going, going, gone - Former Express & Star office in Stafford demolished ready for Odeon cinema

Diggers have been on the Bridge Street site for several weeks pulling down the old newspaper office, which now sits as rubble as the remaining bricks were torn down this past week.

The office has been flattened to make way for a new six-screen Odeon at the town's £70 million Riverside complex.

Patrick Farrington, the leader of Stafford Borough Council, said he was 'really excited' about the new cinema taking shape.

He said: "Planning permission was obtained sometime ago. The regeneration of this area has been magnificent so far and one could say this is part of the final piece of the jigsaw.

"It will bring with it more restaurants, more bars and more of a night scene, attracting different age groups.

"The cinema itself is a completely new offer. It will be kitted out with state of the art facilities and it is fantastic to be able to bring this to the town.

"People who want this kind of state of the art facility need to travel to other towns at the moment and I think it is something Stafford residents have been crying out for.

"I am really excited. I think the location is really good being right by the river."

Scaffolding went up around the front of the old newspaper office last month as demolition work began.

The facade was originally meant to be retained as part of the plans but an amendment to the planning application was made to Stafford Borough Council to bring it down.

This demolition follows that of the neighbouring derelict Chicago Rock Cafe and Love2Love nightclub.

The new Odeon cinema will accommodate 800 seats and two restaurants will be built under the plans.

The current Stafford Cinema sits around 100 yards away, and has been put up on the market.