In a few months a new Central England Co-operative store is expected to open on Beacon Business Park, creating dozens of jobs for the local community and providing a much-needed amenity for housing developments nearby. The 4,000 sq ft convenience store will be located off the Blackheath Lane roundabout, on the Weston Road out of Stafford towards the County Showground.

The site was purchased by Stafford-based Inglewood Investments and construction is progressing quickly. The external shell of the store has been completed and work on the interior of the Co-op will commence shortly.    The new convenience store will be fitted out with pioneering energy efficient refrigeration technologies to minimise environmental impact and LED lighting.

Not only will the new Co-op be creating new jobs, it will also play a key role in the local community. The retailer runs a Community Dividend scheme, which gives local good causes and community groups the chance to apply for a grant ranging from £100 to £5,000. The introduction of a food bank collection point will be installed to support even more local causes and a lifesaving defibrillator will also be located onsite.

Jamie Martin, Co-op Operations Manager for the area, said: “We are excited about our new store in Stafford and about being part of the local community. The new site will feature a vibrant and modern store that will provide all customers and members with all of their essentials and also see us invest in the local economy and create jobs for local people.”

Andrew Harp, Councillor and representative of the Milwich ward on Stafford Borough Council, has praised the opening on the new Co-op, as it will give a boost to the economy and create more jobs. “Any business that opens in Stafford is great news for the town,” he said, “The business park has been going for years and Stafford as a town is blessed with new businesses opening. It’s all good for the economy.”

The Co-op is the latest exciting addition to the 50-acre development zone after Costa Coffee Drive Thru which opened in May 2018. It is currently scheduled to open before the end of the year and will be marked with a range of special events.

For more information about commercial property for sale at Beacon Business Park in Stafford, contact ISE Estates on 01785 256098 or email info@espleys.co.uk.

ISE Estates & Trading is a consortium of 3 Stafford-based businesses which came together in 2004 to purchase and develop the redundant 22-acre RAF Site 3.  Since acquisition the site is fully let and over 300 jobs have been created.

A further 50 acres on Beacon Business Park Growth Point was granted planning permission in 2012 for:

  • 11,000 sqm B1 Office
  • 33,000 sqm B1 Light industrial
  • 16,500 sqm B2 General industrial
  • 11,000 sqm Warehouse
  • 3,000 sqm Mixed A3, A4, C1 and D1.

In May 2013, a grant of £1,7 million was awarded by the Growing Local Pinch Point Fund to construct the new roundabout on Weston Road / Blackheath lane and open up access to the new development land.