Property firm submits revised plans for Birmingham shopping centre revamp

PROPERTY investor NewRiver has submitted amended plans to its scheme proposing a major revamp of a Birmingham shopping centre.

NewRiver – structured as a REIT (real estate investment trust) – lodged plans with Birmingham City Council for a facelift to Central Square in Erdington in January.

The company wants to update the look of the shopping area, which is a typical 1960s design, in the hope of attracting new retailers.

The amended plans propose the removal of free standing canopies in the pedestrianised area, further renovation work, new cladding to existing concrete canopies and the ‘greening’ of walls through planting schemes.

In addition to the landscaping, New River has also applied to change the use of certain units within the precinct, in particular switching the use of some retail units to restaurant/cafe purposes and hot food takeaway.

There is also a submission for D2 use, which is classed as assembly/leisure, which could pave the way for a new cinema. A further change would see a new ramp built to link the Central Square and Co-op car parks.

Agent for the scheme is Manchester-based practice Corstorphine & Wright, which has been responsible for a host of schemes in and around Birmingham.

NewRiver acquired the 45,000 sq ft centre in 2010 as part of a five-centre portfolio and three years ago indicated it planned to carry out a renovation scheme in the hope of attracting new clients.

The redevelopment was intended to provide a new 25,000 sq ft supermarket with four additional independent units together comprising around 20,000 sq ft retail space.

There was support for the scheme at the time although concerns were it could conflict with the development of a new Sainsbury’s supermarket nearby, which in the event has never been developed.