Primark and Co-op agree to Walsall stores triggering £8m redevelopment scheme

RETAILERS Primark and Mid Counties Co-op have exchanged contracts for new premises within a Walsall town centre shopping scheme, triggering an £8m funding injection into the redevelopment of the centre by the local authority.

The 54,000 sq ft redevelopment will see the partial demolition of the empty Tesco Metro store and other units in the Old Square Shopping Centre to make way for the new shops.

The scheme will create a new two-storey Primark store on Digbeth. It will also see the conversion of the front part of the vacant Tesco Metro store, which will then be occupied by the Co-op. The scheme will also see the creation of a new service yard access from Bridge Street.

Walsall Borough Council is hopeful the redevelopment scheme will pave the way for scores of new jobs and give the town centre a much-needed boost.

Deputy council leader, Cllr Adrian Andrew, who has responsibility for Regeneration and Transport within the borough, said the go-ahead welcome news for Walsall.

“We agreed to invest £7.8m of our cash reserves to bring Primark and the Co-op to Walsall. That’s how big a deal this is. It’s very unusual for a retail development to be led and funded by a local authority,” he said.

“We’ve been determined to bring both stores to our town which will make it more attractive for further investment. It’s a huge boost in the long-term and will lead to the creation of scores of jobs.”

Council leader, Cllr Mike Bird said Old Square owner Zurich Assurance deserved credit for originally securing the tenants.

With the agreement in place, development is expected to begin in January 2014 with construction due to be completed around 12months later.

Ben Reid, Chief Executive of the Mid Counties Co-op said, “We are delighted that this development is now going ahead. There have been a number of hurdles but the commitment shown by Walsall Council has ensured that progress has been made.

“We are very pleased to be returning to the town centre as part of this exciting development.”