Shops hope over blight

Empty shops in Stafford's town centre are blighting the town and creating an eyesore for visitors.

Market forces have driven out businesses and closed several shops over a period of months.

But three new businesses are giving hope to traders that customers will be back in time for Christmas.

The latest victims in a long line of closures are the Three Cooks bakery in Greengate Street and the former post office site, Chetwynd House. This creates a total of seven vacant properties in Greengate Street with others dotted around the town and a further three in Princes Street. But with Christmas round the corner there may be hope as new investors show they are willing to put their trust in Stafford and its customers.

Guildhall shopping centre spokeswoman Anne Gilbert confirmed three new shops are due to open in the coming weeks. They are Passion for Perfume, the national hairdresser chain Supercuts and a third which has yet to be revealed. They will all go on the ground floor of the shopping centre joining recently opened Christmas shop, Imagine, in enticing customers into the Guildhall.

Ted Manders, head of regeneration at Stafford Borough Council argued Stafford's retail sector is stronger than in other towns.

He said the national average for vacated shops is 10 per cent but Stafford is currently only facing six per cent vacancies.

He added: "In recent years Stafford has attracted many big name retailers like TK Maxx, Laura Ashley, PC World and a 3 Mobile phone shop. It also boasts an excellent mix of shops. Not many town centres can say they have a near 50/50 split between small independent and national retailers. Many of the vacant shops have been brought about by national market changes for example The Woolwich in Greengate Street is now within Barclays and Music Zone went into administration affecting many towns across the country.

"Major retail investment in the town is proposed with the new retail development at Riverside. What we have got is an extremely attractive town with quaint side streets, which is full of character.

"We have a pedestrianised high street, a shopping centre and an indoor market.

"We also boast a market square which is loaded with events all year round that help pull thousands of visitors to the town."