Empty West Bromwich shopping centre up for sale at £1.75m
A West Bromwich shopping complex that has stood empty for more than a year has been put up for sale for £1.75 million.
The Farley Centre, based off the High Street, used to be home to Morrison's supermarket, a post office and homeware retailer B&M.
It also has a 350 space car park – which is still in use.
Now Liverpool-based property consultancy firm Bennett are offering a long leasehold on the site.
Councillor Bawa Dhallu, who represents the West Bromwich Central ward, said he would welcome the empty shops being turned into a 'thriving investment'.
He commented: "I don't like to see any buildings stood empty, this is what the town centre needs.
"The units have been empty for a while but the car park is popular.
"I would welcome any other investment in this area of West Bromwich and to see people come in and take it over.
"The town centre itself is doing very well and I think that this is still a good location for someone to come forward and buy this site and turn it around."
Last December the car park was taken over by Sandwell Council as the head leaseholder for the Farley Centre went into receivership in the spring.
The site had been blighted by rubbish and dumped trolleys since the closure of Morrison's in March last year.
The building was originally one single unit that was turned into three.
A Safeway and Netto supermarket had previously occupied one of the units. The site currently has an 126 year tenure and a six month long leasehold from January 1987.
Last year the car park became a fly-tipping zone with walkways and flower beds littered with empty drink cartons, crisp packets and fast food wrappers. Numerous potholes formed in the centre of the pathways while parts of the surrounding were also knocked down and left to cause a hazard.
The car park became a pay and display under Sandwell Council for a short time, before being taken over by Euro Parking.
It had remained free of charge since the head leaseholder for the Farley Centre went into receivership in the spring.
Under the Farley Centre leaseholder, customers were charged £2 for a stay of two hours, but would receive a full refund if spending more than £5 in Morrisons.
