Green Light for Shobnall Retail Park: New Jobs, Shops and Leisure on the Way

A brand-new retail and leisure development that promises to bring over 150 jobs to Burton upon Trent has been approved by East Staffordshire councillors this week.

The project, known as Shobnall Retail Park, will transform vacant land just off Shobnall Road into a bustling hub of activity, with eight retail units making up around 78,500 sq ft of new space. High street favourite M&S is set to open a new Foodhall on the site, with other planned names including Greggs, Jollyes pet store, and Tenpin, who will bring a 24-lane bowling alley and family entertainment venue to the area.

Plans also include a drive-thru, a community wellbeing hub, and improvements to pedestrian and cyclist access. The development is being led by Maplevale, a Staffordshire-based company.

Councillors on the planning committee gave the project unanimous backing after reviewing the proposals, which had already been recommended for approval. Their decision came after assessing the potential impact on the local road network, the town centre, and local amenities.

According to the council’s report, no better alternative sites were found within or near the town centre, and the retail impact was judged to be minimal. As part of the approval, the developers have agreed to fund off-site highway improvements and contribute to new tree planting in the National Forest.

Construction timelines are yet to be confirmed, but the approval marks a significant step forward for a development expected to bring more choice, more jobs, and more buzz to the west side of Burton.