Stafford has been awarded £10 million in government funding to rebuild its market hall, confirmed in the Budget following a campaign by local MP Leigh Ingham. The money will fund a brand-new building on the site of the former market, which closed and was demolished in 2024.
The loss of its market was more than symbolic. Ingham took a business case directly to the Treasury, arguing that the investment would generate real economic growth for the area.
A demolished market in a market town became a powerful symbol of what can happen when places are left behind, but I knew that my residents deserved better.
- Leigh Ingham MP, via email
Why a new building, not a restored one?
The old market hall had been struggling for years. Large, poorly lit and many empty stalls, it was no longer fit for purpose in an era when online shopping has fundamentally changed why people visit town centres. The case for starting fresh was straightforward.
The new hall will occupy the same site but will be a very different kind of space.
What could it look like?
Markets in towns like Shrewsbury, Macclesfield and Crewe offer a useful reference point. These are places people choose to spend a full day in, not just somewhere to pick up a few items. The vision for Stafford is similar: independent traders, artisan shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and a live performance space, creating a genuine destination at the heart of the town.
The benefits are likely to extend well beyond the market building itself. Greater footfall in the town centre would support the independent shops and businesses already there, potentially strengthening Stafford as a draw for visitors from across the region.
What it means for the area
Ingham is clear that one project cannot address every challenge facing the town, but she sees this as a meaningful step forward, and a signal that smaller towns deserve the same attention as major cities.
It is a vote of confidence in Stafford's future. It sends a clear message that towns matter, and that growth should not be confined to major cities.
For residents in and around Gnosall, Stafford town centre is the nearest major shopping and leisure destination. A more vibrant, better-used town centre would be a practical benefit for the whole area, not just those who live within walking distance.
Source: Leigh Ingham MP
Image: Chris Haycock
