Combined authority injects £7m into Black Country regeneration scheme
More than 100 jobs are set to be created as part of a town centre regeneration scheme in the Black Country.
The project will see a derelict piece of land in Walsall brought back into commercial use with the aid of a £6.9m investment by the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Collective Investment Fund.
Worcestershire developer Cordwell Property Group is behind the scheme in Littleton Street West in Wisemore, close to the town’s new college.
It has already received planning consent for the scheme, which is dubbed Wisemore Central.
Work will start on site in January and the eventual scheme will extend to 35,000 sq ft and comprise a 60-bedroom Travelodge hotel, a drive-through McDonald’s and three retail units.
The overall cost of the scheme, which could generate 130 new jobs, will be £7.5m.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, WMCA lead member for finance and investment, said: “I am delighted we have been able to assist in bringing to life a derelict town centre site.
“This scheme will create more than 100 new jobs, a cornerstone of the WMCA drive to create employment and the economic growth that underpins the future prosperity of the region.”
Cllr Sean Coughlan, leader of Walsall Council and a member of the WMCA, said: “We are delighted that Cordwell has chosen to invest in Walsall town centre.
“The development will make a fantastic addition to the ring road corridor – creating jobs and offering further choice in the town centre for shoppers and visitors alike.
“It is very encouraging that the momentum of regeneration in Walsall is continuing with such investment complementing that already seen in the town centre and waterfront.”
Tom Wilcox, director of Belbroughton-based Cordwell, said: “We are delighted to be working with the WMCA on this important gateway development.
“We are currently more than 80% pre-let even before we start on site, which shows operators’ confidence in the scheme and in Walsall as a town.
“With recognised brand names already signed up and the positive interest shown in the remaining space available we’re confident the scheme will be a huge success.”
Wright Silverwood of Birmingham are the letting agents for the scheme.
The CIF is a £70m commercial development war-chest set up by the WMCA to stimulate jobs, opportunity and growth.
It is aimed at unlocking a further £1bn in private sector investment over the next 10 years.
It is managed by Finance Birmingham and provides short-term loans to private sector developers to enable them to get schemes off the ground.
Gerald Gannaway, investment director at Finance Birmingham, said: “This is a well-located site and we are delighted to be supporting Cordwell in bringing forward a development which will be of great benefit to Walsall town centre.”
Standing outside the site of the new development are, from left: Gerald Gannaway, Finance Birmingham, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, WMCA and Tom Wilcox, Cordwell Property Group
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