Work starts on retail park development

Work has started on a major retail park development in Tamworth.

The site in Ninian Way, Wilnecote, the former Central England Co-op supermarket, will house confirmed names such as Lidl, B&M, KFC, Starbucks, Greggs and Subway as well as Travis Perkins once complete.

GMI Construction Group has been appointed by Hawkstone Vale Developments working with Central England Co-op to construct the scheme.

The £22m development will be known as Tame Retail and Trade Park.

Demolition works are progressing and site preparation is already underway onsite. Construction is expected to take 52 weeks with the scheme expected to be open by March 2023.

GMI divisional managing director Andy Bruce said: “This significant new development looks set to breathe new life into what was a redundant site and serve as a catalyst for the regeneration of the area creating new and substantial local employment and a brand-new trade and retail destination.

“GMI are very active currently in the Midlands working on a number of high-profile projects across multiple sectors including retail, industrial/logistics, residential, office/mixed use and manufacturing with an order book currently valued at £150M.

“We look forward to working closely with both Hawkstone and Central England Co-op and seeing the development rise out of the ground which when complete will be one of the Midlands premier retail and trade park destinations.”

Andrew Kirton, managing director of Hawkstone Vale, added: “It is great to see the work on the development progressing and the new development starting to take shape.

“We are delighted to have attracted Lidl, B&M and Travis Perkins for the retail and trade element of the Scheme, with Starbucks, Greggs and Subway providing the food and beverage offer.

“We are confident this 80,000 sq ft development will help provide a great boost to the local economy and create hundreds of jobs for the local community in these uncertain times.”