COSTA COFFEE AND PETS CORNER SIGN UP TO ST. MODWEN’S HEDNESFORD REGENERATION SCHEME

Leading high street names Costa Coffee and Pets Corner are set to open at the new Victoria Shopping Park in Hednesford as part of St. Modwen’s £50 million transformation of the town centre.

The quality brands will sit alongside the 80,000 sq ft Tesco superstore at the shopping park which is currently under construction and due to open this December in time for Christmas trading.

More than 600 jobs will be created with the opening of the shopping park, which will also feature a 10,000 sq ft community facility to replace the former Aquarius Community Centre/Dance Hall, a 640 space car park and new bus stops.

St. Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist, has also confirmed that another three retail units are under offer to other high profile names.

Mark Watkins, development surveyor at St. Modwen said: “This commitment from Costa Coffee and Pets Corner and interest from other leading names shows that Victoria Shopping Park will quickly establish itself as a thriving retail destination for the area.

“Combined with the recently completed Chase Gateway development, St. Modwen is fast achieving our vision of providing Hednesford with a vibrant, quality shopping and leisure experience and hundreds of jobs.”

Costa Coffee, the second-largest coffee house chain in the world, will operate from 1,195sq ft, while Pets Corner, the family-run pet specialist, has taken 3,091 sq ft.

Cllr Diane Todd, Cannock Chase Council Town Centre Regeneration Leader, said: “We are delighted that such high profile names have signed up to Victoria Shopping Park and are pleased to the see the transformation of Hednesford town centre quickly taking shape.”

Cheetham & Mortimer and Ramsdens are the joint letting agents acting on behalf of St. Modwen for the retail scheme.

Conor Mulloy, associate partner at Cheetham & Mortimer, commented: “We are delighted to have secured these lettings for the development that will complement the new Tesco store and provide the town’s residents with a varied retail offering. These new stores will enhance Hednesford’s reputation as a retail destination.”

Victoria Shopping Park is the final phase of St. Modwen’s 10 acre regeneration project at Hednesford town centre. The first phase, Chase Gateway, involved the redevelopment of the area fronting Market Street, Rugeley Road and Victoria Street and delivered purpose built buildings for the Hollywood Bingo Club plus new retail units.

Construction began on the comprehensive town centre scheme in April 2011 after developer St. Modwen was granted planning approval by Cannock Chase Council.