Preliminary work has commenced at the site for the new McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Village in Cannock. Workmen are on site removing fences and clearing trees to make way for the new retail park.
Phase one of the scheme will consist of more than 80 shops, restaurants and cafés, a children’s play area and 1,400 car parking spaces.
Cannock Chase District Council leader George Adamson said: “It will put Cannock on the national and even international retail map.
“It will create hundreds of retail jobs and building jobs too while it is being developed.
“There could be disruption to traffic in the meantime – but it is the best thing that has happened to Cannock in decades.”
In August, a major international chain requested a larger unit so the local authority had to re-think the plans.
Following this, the scale of the scheme meant it was referred to the Secretary of State but she did not call it in.
A £400,000 cash injection from McArthurGlen will be ploughed into improving the town centre and expanding railway stations, as part of the huge project.
The outlet is expected to attract three million visitors every year.