Woolworths to be new mall

Woolworths' former store in Wolverhampton is to become a mini shopping mall and food court, creating more than 200 jobs, it was revealed this afternoon.

Aldridge-based Plaza Malls today announced it had snapped up the 25,000 sq ft Mander Centre shop and was spending £2 million on its transformation.

The store has stood empty for more than a year since Woolworths closed down with the loss of 80 jobs in the city.

Plaza Malls, led by businessman Tony Swannie, recently carried out a similar transformation at Dudley's former Woolworths store.

Mr Swannie said today he expected the Wolverhampton venture to be launched in June.

"We are going to set Wolverhampton on fire with retail," he said today. "We're going to create a fantastic food court with lots of parts to it, from groceries through to butchers and bakers and delis. It will be a fantastic food environment.

"There will also be more than 70 retailers in there with a variety of shops."

More than 80 retailers have already expressed an interest in taking a spot in the new mall, Mr Swannie revealed.

Legal experts are said to be working on finalising the takeover deal over the next week.

Mr Swannie added: "We specialise in bringing small and medium retailers back to prominent positions on the High Street.

"This is a new and exciting way of shopping. We've had a very successful opening in Dudley which has been welcomed in the town so now we are looking forward to opening up in Wolverhampton."

Kim Gilmour, Wolverhampton city centre manager, welcomed the investment.

"This is fantastic news as the store has been empty for over a year," she said. "It's a very large space so to bring that back into use will bring some vitality back to the Mander Centre."