Shops plan for Arenas building

Work to convert the former sports hall on Queen's Retail Park, Stafford, started on Monday and is expected to last several weeks. The managers of the site, British Land on behalf of Hercules Unit Trust, say interior walls are being demolished to make the building into two separate retail units.

And while many areas of recession-hit Stafford are currently plagued by empty shops, British Land asset manager John Maddison said he had several prestigious retail chains already expressing an interest in taking on the leases.

He said: "We've been granted planning permission to carry out a minor refurbishment – we're putting a new frontage on to bring it into line with Next and the other retailers there. The Sports Arenas was old and in dire need of a refurbishment." Stafford Sports Arenas closed down last month. Owner Nabil Jaber blamed high bills, rent and business rates for the move and has now asked for planning permission to reopen two aspects of the business, Gym & Tonic and the Ladies' Centre, on Stafford's Newport Road.

Elsewhere on the retail park, a unit which had stood empty after the closure of electrical retailer Powerhouse has been occupied temporarily by a firm called Flower Wholesale Ltd, which is using it as a centre for the creation of decorative flowers and related goods until April. Mr Maddison said British Land has long-term plans for the unit, which will also include a refurbishment, once the firm leaves. Stafford Sports Arenas closed its doors for the last time almost three weeks ago on January 15 after operating in Stafford for more than 17 years. The shock move made around 40 five-a-side football teams and nine netball teams homeless, along with users of its fitness suites and badminton and indoor cricket courts.

Stafford five-a-side enthusiast Ricky Millar has started an email petition calling for a new indoor sports courts in Stafford. But the 36-year-old is disappointed by the response to his idea.