Students book date with Stafford leader to show regen work caught on camera

28/08/2026

Students presented a series of books they had created, capturing regeneration work in Stafford, to the leader of the Borough Council.

Tens of thousands of pictures were taken before and after demolition of town centre schemes such as the derelict former Co-op Department Store, the refurbishment of Market Square, and construction of the Institute of Technology (IoT).

Fifty-five staff and students from Stafford College's BTEC Photography course undertook the huge project in their own time over the last four years to compile a pictorial documentation of the regeneration work.

Retired photography lecturer, Sue Bowdery, along with former students, Grace and Tom, were invited into the Civic Centre in Stafford this month (Friday 21 August) to present the seven books to Councillor Aidan Godfrey. The council leader said they were 'wonderful' and that people would use them as references in years to come.

Sets of the books will be available in the college and town centre libraries, Staffordshire History Centre, and copies will also be sold to help raise funds for Katharine House Hospice.

Tom, aged 19, is now studying at the IoT, having photographed it throughout construction before editing the book. "It was a good experience and I enjoyed all of it. Our first shoot at the IoT was when there was only two poles in the ground - I had no idea what the building would eventually look like.

"It was nice to see it all constructed - and then to finish up studying there as a student."

Twenty-year-old Grace is now at Staffordshire University studying Concept Art.

She contributed to all seven books and said: "My favourite experience on the project was when we were in the former Co-op. I enjoyed getting inside a building that had been abandoned for so long, and taking pictures of what it had become."

Sue added: "We were keen to photograph these sites for posterity before redevelopment (or time) changed them for ever. Having so many students photographing, each with their own unique perspective of the sites we visited, greatly enhanced this objective archive of images we were able to create. The students involved showed great dedication and we are very grateful to Stafford Borough Council for giving us this work experience opportunity".

Councillor Godfrey continued: "I'm pleased we have been able to help these young people produce such professional work.

"These books are really wonderful and all those who have taken part should be proud of what they have achieved. We are currently going through the biggest transformation of the town centre in a generation and these books will play an important role in showing that regeneration journey."

The titles of the seven books are:

Stafford Market Square, Guildhall Shopping Centre, Co-op Department Store, Stafford Station, Lakeside, Palmbourne, Institute of Technology.

Images can additionally be viewed on Instagram: @nscgstafford.photowex

Press Release No 6323