Grand opening of near empty arcade

Developer Fred Pritchard said seven other businesses are in the final stages of signing a lease - but even then the £3million building on Market Street will still have half of its units empty.

The Lightworks, built on the site of the former Lucas Factory, opened yesterday with invited dignitaries and even a St George's Day knight and horse.

Residents in Hednesford finally got a chance to see the art deco style shopping arcade for the first time after the development took some three years to create.

The only organisation to move into The Lightworks so far is the Chase 3 project, a partnership agency aimed at promoting local businesses and towns.

Mr Pritchard is confident of filling the units within six months but said economic conditions were slowing everything down.

Among the businesses set to move into the Lightworks include clothes shops, hairdressers, a dentists, chiropodists, cafe and restaurants.

Among those visiting the centre yesterday was Shirley Jones, aged 72, from Mount Street, who said: "It has been done to the highest standards and will change the town and give it more life."

Iris Ward, from Mavis Road, added: "I am very pleased with it and I think it looks good. I do think it will be the start of regeneration in Hednesford when all the shops are open."

Mr Pritchard said now the arcade was open it was liable to attract even more interest. He added: "It is a vindication of all the hard work that has gone into this. At time I did ask myself if it was worth it but from the comments I have had from people it was.

"The economic situation is slowing everything down and retail is suffering worse than most but there is no better time to start a business. If you start in a recession it can only get better."

Councillor Danny Davies, cabinet member for town centre development said: "This is the first piece in the regeneration jigsaw for Hednesford."