Indoor market for Walsall Woolies

Plans featuring shops, a restaurant and café in the building in Park Street have been submitted to Walsall Council by Plaza Malls Walsall Ltd.

Woolworths closed its branch in November after decades in the town and the plans have been welcomed as a major boost for the town's economy.

Councillor Denis Anson said: "It is wonderful news. It's a real shot in the arm for Walsall during all this doom and gloom.

"I applaud the application."

Councillor Adrian Andrew, cabinet leader for regeneration, is delighted to see that plans for the landmark building in Park Street were in the pipeline.

He said: "This is a massive boost for Walsall. There has been a number of businesses in the town centre which have closed due to the economic downfall, so this is just brilliant for the town.

"Woolworths was an institution in Walsall, so to see the building being transformed in this way is just great."

The new market will be near to the current indoor market.

Rebecca Crann, of Peg-asus Planning Group, agents for Plaza Malls Walsall Ltd, said: "The plans will transform the former Woolworths building at the top end of town and will include shops, cafe and a restaurant.

"There are plans to put in more window, doors and there will be a seating area outside in Gallery Square.

"We estimate that at least 60 jobs will be created in the process."

Bob Scrivens, Walsall Council's area planning manager, confirmed that an application had been lodged.

He said: "The application proposes an indoor market, a small restaurant or cafe, with a potential hot food element and uses such as accountancy.

"The applicant is also proposing a range of uses for the first floor to include retail, leisure and storage."

The plans could go before planning bosses on Walsall Council's development control committee on July 16.