Major plans for Walsall town centre to be voted on this week

Committee members will vote on bold proposals which involve bulldozing several buildings, opening up the area between St Paul’s Bus Station and the entrance of the Saddlers Shopping Centre on Park Street.

If approved by members on Thursday night, the scheme -  titled Connected Gateway Project - will see 38-46 Park Street demolished which includes the former Foot Locker, Subway, Fonehub – formerly Halifax, and Card Factory. 

The aim of the project is to create a new public space in the heart of the town, improve the passenger arrival experience, and create a direct line of sight between the bus station and the railway station. 

It was recognised that Butler’s Passage, the existing pedestrian link between Park Street and the bus station, gives little sense of security and is often blighted by anti-social behaviour. The project is a critical part of the council’s Walsall Town Centre Masterplan. 

Through the widening of Butler’s Passage, one of the buildings to be demolished is a locally listed building. Associated Architects, appointed by Arcadis on behalf of Walsall Council, looked into working around this building at 44-46 Park Street but decided flattening it would be a better contribution to the wider aims of regenerating the town centre.

The council wants the town centre to become the ‘healthiest in the UK’. If approved, the works should be completed by 2040. The Gateway Connected Project is funded through the Future High Streets Fund and Walsall Council.

Moving alongside the project are the improvement works currently underway inside the Bradford Mall, and the reconfiguration of the former M&S premises. The old store is going to house a new Adult Learning Facility in conjunction with Walsall College.

Portfolio holder for regeneration, councillor Adrian Andrew, revealed plans to ‘reprovide’ Walsall Arena and Arts Centre to the town centre last month. The council said no decision has been made about the much-loved entertainment venue, currently located in Leamore. 

The council has also proposed to move the Walsall Leather Museum into a more centrally located council-owned property. It’s currently located in a former leather factory on Littleton Street West. 

Project manager of the Walsall Connected Gateway project, Arcadis, said: “The town centre economy has significantly under-performed against the national and regional average in recent years, with high numbers of vacant units and a decreased amount of investment in the centre. The plans identify a strategy for the regeneration of the town.”