Cordwell appointed to develop Walsall’s new cinema
STOURBRIDGE-based developer, Cordwell Property Group has been appointed to convert a Walsall shopping centre into a new multi-screen cinema complex creating 200 new jobs.
The nine-screen cinema, set in the Littleton Centre, will be operated by cinema chain Vue Entertainment. A planning application for the scheme has been submitted to Walsall Borough Council.
The Littleton Centre, which used to be the town’s old Quasar shopping centre, will help to lead the renaissance of the area of the town in Park Street and Town End Bank, ironically the former home of the town’s cinema.
The Littleton will also front the town’s new Tesco Extra supermarket and nearby Walsall College. As such, it is expected to become a high footfall area.
The design for the Littleton Centre features contemporary, architect-designed buildings that will house the cinema complex on the first floor, while a selection of family-orientated cafes and restaurants will be situated on the ground floor.
Cordwell, which has released new images of the scheme, said it intended to keep the redevelopment a local project by using contractors, tradesmen and sub-contractors from around the Walsall area.
Tom Wilcox, of Cordwell, said: “The Littleton Centre will be a bright, new contemporary addition to the town’s leisure facilities and is in an ideal position with the required facilities to attract people at all times of the day. It will be an iconic gateway statement to the town centre and benefit from 32,000 passing cars every day.”
He said the design had been achieved following close collaboration with Walsall Council’s regeneration team over the last 12 months.
“Having successfully worked with Vue on many occasions, we are very pleased that they have chosen our development as their preferred location in the town and have now signed a contract with us,” he added.
Geoff Moore, Property Director for Vue, said: “Being in a prime location to attract cinema goers and readily accessible by both private and public transport, we are very confident that this will become one of the finest leisure destinations in the town and the region beyond. Having formally confirmed that we will be operating a state-of-the-art cinema, we are looking forward to creating an exciting sensory experience in the Littleton Centre.”
The planning application is due to be considered in May and if approved, work will start on the site within three months with a view to opening in autumn 2014.
