New store job boost

Another major high street name today revealed it was due to open a store on a retail park in Stafford bringing more new jobs to the town.

Clothes chain New Look has signed up to take on a 7,500 sq ft unit on the town's Queens Retail Park at Queensville and will open its doors in November, four months earlier than its bosses originally planned.

The store will stock a full range of women's, men's and children's clothing and its shop in Gaolgate in the town centre will also stay open.

A New Look spokeswoman said the company could not yet say exactly how many new staff would be taken on at the Queens Retail Park site.

The new store follows the opening last week of a new 7,500sq ft Peacocks store at the park and excitement is growing for a 9,500sq ft Next store which is opening on the park on September 4 creating 60 jobs.

News that New Look has now signed up means there is now just one new 7,500sq ft unit remaining to be let on the park.

The site was bought by property group British Lane for £39 million earlier this year and the owners are also planning further investment in the retail park.

Stafford Borough Council's cabinet member for planning and regeneration Councillor Doug Davis said the council was pleased that businesses like New Look were continuing to invest in the town.

"We were slightly nervous about the Queens Retail Park when B&Q moved out, but it is nice to see new names coming in to fill the vacuum.

"It shows there is confidence in the future of Stafford. It is still a highly desirable area and there are opportunities here.

"The regeneration plans for Stafford are creating extreme interest and the town is rated 15th in the country as the most desirable place to live.

"Growth is continuing to take place and we will see large growth over the next five years," he added.

It is an exciting time for the town with the new Travelodge budget hotel on the Hough Retail Park, off Lichfield Road, also nearing opening and a KFC restaurant set to open there in November creating 25 jobs.

Pizza Hut has yet to announce when its new restaurant on the park will open.

Travelodge's 63-bed hotel is due to be finished next month and open before Christmas. The scheme will complete the £11 million retail park and bring the overall total of jobs created to around 400.

l The T-Mobile shop in Stafford's Guildhall Shopping Centre has just re-located to new premises in Gaolgate Street.