Debenhams in jobs boost
A top store planned at a £60 million complex in Kidderminster is expected to officially open next November creating up to 200 jobs – 100 more than first announced.
Multi-million pound plans have been drawn up to transform the Grade II listed former carpet mill, known as Slingfield MIll, on Weavers Wharf Retail Park into a Debenhams store and hotel.
Work has already begun on the project which is going well despite recent bad weather.
Debenhams will take space in the historic five-storey building which it will share with an upmarket hotel whose name has still to be released.
The scheme involves a £500,000 refurbishment of the late 1800s building and work is being carried out in character with the building.
Another £500,000 is going into a new hotel designed to bridge a shortfall in high-end accommodation in the town centre.
The department store, which already has stores in Worcester and Redditch, has signed a 15-year lease with the buildings owners Henderson Global Investors.
Town centre manager Jackie Roberts said: "The store is scheduled to open in November next year. We are pleased work is proceeding on this building."
Peter Picken, chairman of the town centre partnership, believes that the Debenhams store will be a "massive boost" for the region. We have been saying for a long time that we need a retail outlet like Debenhams to come to Kidderminster."
