Work set to begin on Walsall’s Old Square shopping centre redevelopment

WORK on the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Old Square Shopping Centre in Walsall is due to start tomorrow.

The construction project is expected to take around 55 weeks to complete with fashion giant Primark and Co-op scheduled to set up shop in the town centre by summer 2015.

Hoardings will be put in place and then the demolition of the former Tesco building and surrounding units can begin. This is expected to take approximately four months.

The construction phase of the new Primark and Co-op buildings will then start later this summer.

The hoardings will advertise the arrival of the two flagship stores as well as advising visitors that Walsall market and surrounding shops and services are open for business throughout the construction phase.

Around 150 jobs are expected to be created in the new £8m, 54,000 sq ft development.

Earlier this month, traders at Walsall market were allocated new pitches to create room for the controlled-access construction zone.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, portfolio holder for regeneration and transport at Walsall Council’s ruling coalition, said: “This is a hugely pivotal moment for the town centre. For members of the public and visitors to the town centre it marks the start of an exciting regeneration project in Walsall town centre.”