Sandwell regen scheme boosted with major new occupiers

A SERIES of new lettings to High Street retailers have been announced at a major regeneration scheme in Sandwell.

The ‘New Square’ development next to the former police station in West Bromwich is being led by Spenhill, the regeneration arm of supermarket chain Tesco.

Primark, Next, Arcadia, JD Sports and Bank have all been signed up by Tesco to sit alongside its new 139,000 sq ft ‘Extra’ store.

As part of the project, Tesco has also built a new police station which is being officially opened on Friday.

Primark will be the anchor store of the new development, taking 49,998 sq ft on a 25-year lease.

The other four retailers, which will join an eight-screen Odeon cinema, have taken units ranging from 5,500 sq ft to 10,400 sq ft.

The development (CGI below) is 538,000 sq ft in total and is expected to provide around 2,000 new full and part-time roles and is due to be completed by spring 2013.

Also included in the development plans are 1,900 parking space, additional retail and leisure space, a new public square and road links.

Tesco’s corporate affairs manager Jonathan Simpson said: “This is a hugely important announcement for West Bromwich and is a true vote of confidence from retailers in what we are working to achieve in the town.

“The next two years will see the town centre transformed into a shopping and leisure destination that will put West Bromwich on the map for many years to come.”