Expansion plans for Staffordshire market town's retail park unveiled, including a sports pitch

The scheme will see eight new units and will include a new sports pitch, vegetable patch and a new bowling facility.

The plans for Shobnall retail park will use a section of underdeveloped ‘waste’ ground near the existing B&Q and Burger King. Once completed the development will see a new drive thru restaurant, a bowling facility, a new high street shop and an area for a community training centre located on the Staffordshire retail park in Burton Upon Trent.

So far, four national retailers have confirmed an interest with four units waiting for a tenant to be confirmed. The development will add an additional 400 car parking spaces to the site which will take the total to more than 700.

It is expected that the development will create 150 new full and part time jobs. New pedestrian and cycle links are also expected to connect the retail area and Burton town centre.

Currently tenants for the new units include; Marks and Spencer food hall, this will replace the current food hall at Coopers Square, which first opened in 1975. The new food hall will be ‘fit for the future’ and will be 154 per cent bigger than the previous.

The current food hall at Coopers Square is expected to close in 2027 due to the expiration of the current lease. All existing employees will be offered the chance to relocate to the new store once opened.

In documents submitted with the planning application, M&S state: “This store no longer provides a quality shopping experience and is now what we consider to be potentially brand damaging compared to what the business could offer its valued customers. The new proposed development will provide a fit for the future M&S Foodhall at a proposed new retail park at Wellington Road which will retain M&S within the local community for the long term.”

Another major retailer on the new development is Greggs, which will have a drive-thru option available. Jolleys pet store is also set to open at the retail park. The brand does not currently have a presence in the area, with the nearest branch located in Swadlincote

The final confirmed tenants are Tenpin Bowling, the venue will have 24 lanes and would represent a £3million investment. This would be the first time in 20 years that Tenpin have operated in the town.

In a statement Tenpin said: “Tenpin is excited to support the planning application for the proposed Shobnall Retail Park scheme in Burton-upon-Trent. Tenpin bowling has been absent from the town for nearly 20 years and Tenpin are keen to develop a new bowling centre to add an exciting entertainment venue and community hub for the local population.

Our proposal would involve a £3 million investment to create a state-of-the-art venue which would include: Twenty-four ten pin bowling lanes; Immersive laser tag arena; Houdini’s escape room concept; Games and pool tables Bar & kitchen offering traditional diner food.

Space will also be available to Burton based Equal Support Opportunities CIC to construct a community training centre, sports pitch, vegetable garden and a sensory garden alongside the existing balancing pond. The rest of the units are expected to be filled by bulky goods retailers such as furniture stores.

Planning officers at East Staffordshire Borough Council are now set to review the plans before making a decision, which is expected before the end of the year.