Former town centre bistro to be turned into rehabilitation bedsit and tearooms

The ex-addicts will also run a tearoom next door as part of the proposal by Burton Addiction Centre.

The scheme would see empty 91-93 High Green transformed into a 12-bedroom supported house for adults in recovery and the adjoining former Bistro95 open as a tearoom run by them. The facility would house people who have already completed a 14-week intensive rehab programme.

Plans have now been submitted to Cannock Chase District Council and, if approved, the semi-independent accommodation could be open as early as next spring.

The developers said Cannock has a drug problem and the facility will allow residents to integrate back into the community. However, critics claim it is not right to have such a facility in the town centre.

Noreen Oliver, CEO of Burton Addiction Centre said: "Cannock has a high drug problem and this is a way to get them off drugs completely, rather than substituting it.

"There isn't any recovery facilities in Cannock for people who are wanting to integrate back into society. It is the first of its kind for the area and residents will be near their families and can gain qualifications with the local college.

"This is about re-integrating people back into their community and giving something back as opposed to taking from the community, when they were on drugs."

already runs two alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres, one in Newcastle-under-Lyme and one in Burton-upon-Trent.

But Hawks Green Ukip councillor Ann Bernard is against the plans.

She said: "While I have every sympathy for people I don't think the buzz of a town centre surrounded by pubs is the right place for them to be rehabilitated. I also feel for the other people who live in the town."

And members of Cannock Conservative Club, directly opposite the proposed site, said they will be lodging a complaint.

Secretary Colin Hopton said: "It is terrible and we are not happy at all. We will have this on our doorstep, they already dispense drugs on Park Road and are planning a drop-in shelter at the bus stop behind us. We will be surrounded by drugs and we are disgusted by the idea."

The plans for the High Green building include 12 bedrooms that residents will have on a six-month licence and a communal living space and kitchen. It will be run by staff in the evening with a condition that during the day residents must work or volunteer.

The house has been derelict for many years, with the once-picturesque bistro going into administration in July and closing soon after after trading for just two years.

If plans are successful it would be the third rehabilitation service in the town.

A substance misuse team is based at Park House and the latest proposals come just weeks after plans were submitted to turn the old Progressive Working Men's Club at Cannock Shopping Centre into an alcohol and drugs rehabilitation centre.