Students Help Shape the Future of Stafford Town Centre
19 December 2025
This week, A Level students from NSCG Stafford College took part in a practical urban design workshop focused on regeneration and renewal in Stafford Town Centre.
The workshop brought together students from a range of A Level subjects with graduate urban designers from David Lock Associates, the company appointed to coordinate the Stafford Town Centre Masterplan on behalf of Staffordshire County Council and Stafford Borough Council.
As part of the Shaping Stafford’s Future session, students explored how the town centre is currently used and considered what it may be missing, including business types, activities, community spaces and infrastructure improvements. The interactive group design exercise gave students the chance to reflect on their own experiences of Stafford and put forward ideas for how the town centre could evolve to better support residents, visitors and future generations.
The Stafford Town Centre Masterplan brings together a series of major regeneration projects designed to complement one another, maximise future investment opportunities and strengthen Stafford as a place to live, work and visit.
Rob Millward, Director of Academic Studies at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, said: “We are delighted that our Stafford College A Level students have been invited to take part in this event. It offers a unique opportunity for students to work directly with professional urban designers, gain first-hand experience of practical planning and design, and develop valuable career insights, while having a real voice in shaping a vibrant and inclusive Stafford town centre.
“Their ideas and vision will help create a place that benefits the local community, attracts visitors, and supports future generations in Stafford.”
A Level student, Adam Glynn, said: “I’m really interested in the town planning process and it’s good that we’re involved and having a say. It’s complex in terms of what goes into the plan and the technical parts of its design.”
Jemima Collins, who also studies A Levels, added: “Flooding and roadworks are a real issue in Stafford, so we really need to address that. There are no communal spaces for young people, which is a concern when it comes to antisocial behaviour. I’d also like to see more small businesses on the high street. It’s important that, as young people, we have our voices heard.”
Martin Murray, Acting Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “This workshop offered a fantastic opportunity for Stafford College students to have real input into the shaping of the masterplan and share in our excitement about the future vision for the town.
“It’s hugely encouraging to see graduate urban planners directly involving young people who live locally in this once-in-a-generation project, while also showcasing the wide range of career opportunities available in urban planning and design.”
David Lock Associates is an independent consultancy specialising in town planning, urban design and master planning. Recent projects in Stafford include the refurbishment of Market Square, improvements to the Stafford Railway Station entrance, the creation of the Staffordshire History Centre and the Shire Hall Business Centre, supported through investment from national funding programmes and both councils.