Published: Wednesday, 26th November 2025
The next steps in major plans for the transformation of Cannock Town Centre are to be discussed by senior councillors next week.
Work is already on target to bring down the eye-sore multi-storey car park and Cannock Chase District Council recently got approval for the demolition of the Forum Shopping Centre as part of the multi-million pound government funded plans.
The new proposals would include: scrapping a new pedestrian crossing to replace the subway from Beecroft Road, the Prince of Wales Theatre - which has been closed since April - earmarked for demolition, and the District Council moved out of its town centre site with the civic centre being flattened to make way for a major retailer and potential social housing.
The council’s cabinet will hear that the changes will increase the development ‘footprint’ and make the area even more attractive to potential investors. And the report to be discussed on Thursday (4 December) makes it clear that the consideration of a performing arts and cultural space will be embedded in a new ‘Development Framework’ that will be published in the new year.
The move comes on the back of significant interest from investors around the transformation of the town centre. And developers have been impressed with the groundwork the local authority has been undertaking to create the opportunity for residential development as well as office space, commercial, cultural and educational offerings.
Council Leader, Steve Thornley, said: “Everyone wants to see Cannock Town Centre thrive - and we must not stand still if we are to compete with other neighbouring towns and areas.
“Our vision is to have a town centre where people want to live in good, affordable homes, where they can work, and where they can enjoy social and leisure time. To get there, difficult decisions have been taken but the prize of a vibrant town centre fit for the future is what we must concentrate on and drive us all forward.”
He added: “We have been very clear that a new framework for future development in our town centre must include provision for performing arts and culture and we are speaking with those who have the ambition and experience to support this.”
The council secured £20m from the government to ‘support an ambitious and transformational town centre regeneration scheme’ with the local authority providing an additional £6.8m of its own money.
Earlier this year senior councillors and officers shared their vision for the town centre in a prospectus at a national property conference which set out scale and type of development for the area.
The report to councillors continues: “Meetings took place with investors, developers and end users and those conversations have helped to inform the scope of the opportunity.”
“As a result of the strong interest the private sector has shown in Cannock town centre, officers are in discussions with a number of developers and end users. Residential, commercial and multi-purpose building requirements have all generated positive feedback.”
Members of the public will have the chance to have their say on proposals when planning applications come forward for specific schemes - with further details being presented to the council’s cabinet in a report in the new year.
The full cabinet report can be seen at: https://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/council/meetings/agendas-reports-minutes/cabinet/20251204