£200m revamp moves closer
Entrepeneur Fred Pritchard has revealed £200 million worth of regeneration schemes in Cannock Chase are on the cusp of becoming reality.
Mr Pritchard, the multi-millionaire head of Pritchard Holdings, says his three main projects for all three towns in Cannock Chase are at a "watershed" and will bring jobs and much needed leisure facilities to the area.
The 62-year-old says his developments have been given planning permission or are in the final stages of land acquisition.
His comments come after planning councillors gave the thumbs-up to his plans for a niche shopping complex in Hednesford, known as The Lightworks.
This development is just one part of a larger plan to revamp Hednesford.
The Lightworks will also include, loft-style apartments and offices, together with restaurant facilities.
In Cannock Mr Pritchard says he has genuine resolve to get over the delays to the Avon Plaza plan which will deliver an eight screen cinema, bowling alley, bingo, restaurants, shopping, car park and apartments.
In Rugeley his firm is looking to deliver another town centre complex at Wellington Plaza which the company says will go hand in hand with regeneration plans by the council for the town.
Mr Pritchard, who grew up in Bridgtown, has also created the Towers Business Park where there is over 100,000 sq ft of workspace.
He said: "It cannot be done overnight and it cannot be done by one individual or one group of people, regeneration is a collective effort.
"Our district is on the up, it has a ready, willing and able community to support it; it has a willing council to back it and it has willing investors and developers who are prepared to put their necks on the line and money to support these schemes.
"Our team are totally and fully committed."
