Food giant signs deal for store
German food giant Lidl is to open to a supermarket in Hednesford as part of a £5 million regeneration of the town.
The supermarket chain has signed a deal with developers St Modwen who are looking to regenerate the town in partnership with the district council.
Lidl have signed a development agreement for a 16,500 sq ft store on the site of the former Chase Car Sales showroom at the Rugeley Road and Market Street end of the town.
Although the deal has been signed the whole first phase of the regeneration plan is still in doubt whilst negotiations continue with three businesses who are so far refusing to sell up. Cannock Chase District Council has warned it will use compulsory purchase powers as a last resort to ensure the plans go ahead.
Despite the delays construction on the supermarket is set to go ahead in early 2008. This is the first significant deal within the scheme which will comprise six shops in Market Street with 18 residential apartments above and four larger retail units and a 172-space shoppers car park.
St Modwen is also to develop a further town centre site fronting Market Street, Rugeley Road and Victoria Street.
Ian Romano, of St Modwen, said: "It is excellent news that Lidl has committed itself to the scheme. Hednesford town centre plays a vital role in providing local shopping facilities for its immediate shopping catchment.
"The provision of such facilities is currently inadequate and the scheme will start a rolling transformation of the town centre."
A spokesman for Lidl said: "Lidl are very pleased to be involved in this exciting regeneration project and look forward to bringing more retail choice to Hednesford."
