Foodstore opening expected to trigger fresh interest in mixed-use scheme

The opening of a new foodstore at a Birmingham mixed-use development is expected to trigger interest in the site from would-be tenants.

The new 13,000 sq ft M&S Foodhall is acting as the anchor tenant of the scheme, which is situated on the corner of St Mary’s Row and Oxford Road in Moseley.

The development, on the site of a former Meteor Ford car dealership, has had something of a checkered history.

Planning permission was granted six years ago for the demolition of the garage buildings and its redevelopment to provide a mixed-use scheme comprising a retail food store – which at that stage was going to be Tesco – a medical centre and 14 sheltered residential apartments, together with a new access, 102 car parking spaces and landscaping works.

However, the supermarket pulled out of the project and the site was sold to Marshalls CDP, which persuaded M&S to step in and anchor the scheme.

However, despite its best efforts CDP was unable to find a suitable organisation to operate the medical centre and earlier this year it applied to Birmingham City Council to amend the conditions of the scheme so that in the event an operator for the medical centre could not be found then alternative uses for the space could be considered.

Now, in addition to the foodstore, the development includes two adjacent retail/restaurant units – respectively 3,900 and 3,960 sq ft – which would have served as the health centre, plus the 14 flats above the commercial units and associated car parking.

Marshalls CDP acquired the site following advice by Alfred Bartlett, a partner at Rapleys.

Mr Bartlett said: “This is a landmark scheme for Moseley and the surrounding local area that has significantly enhanced what was previously a dilapidated car dealership site.

“M&S’s occupation is a real boon for the development and we anticipate significant and continued interest in the remaining two commercial units.”

Rapleys and Fitzgerald Property Consultants are jointly marketing the two retail units.