Ex-B&Q store is flattened

Stafford's former B&Q store has finally been flattened to make way for a new retail development in the town.

The bulldozers have spent the last few weeks demolishing the former DIY warehouse store at the Queens Retail Park, off Queensville.

Work will now start on redeveloping the site to house a new Next superstore.

Next bosses say the scheme is on schedule for the store to have a grand opening next August.

It will comprise a number of smaller units, including 4,010 sq ft of womenswear, 2,223 sq ft of menswear, 1,706 sq ft of childrenswear and 1,175 sq ft of homeware. A mezzanine floor is also planned.

A similar sized store which recently opened in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, has generated 80 jobs.

Next spokeswoman Lucy Taylor said: "The new Stafford store will sell women's, men's and children's fashions, plus homeware.

"It is too early to say exactly how many jobs will be created but we will start advertising posts a couple of months before the store opens.

"Next is delighted to be opening the new store at the retail park, which offers customers all four product ranges in a fabulous new shopping environment."

The store will be in addition to the current Next store in Foregate Street, which she said the company remained "committed to."