Lyng estate's 24-hour Nisa opens

A new 24-hour supermarket has opened its doors in West Bromwich in a move that councillors say will kick-start the area's regeneration.

The open-all-hours Nisa in Moor Street is the latest step in the overhaul of the run-down Lyng Estate. It is the first outlet in the new shopping precinct.

Sandwell's regeneration chief and councillor Bob Badham described the opening as "really good news" for the area.

He said: "There are going to be hundreds of new houses built around here, this shows that the estate is ready for them.

"It's a pretty big store and I'm over the moon with it. It think it will be very valuable to the town. I think this will be the first of many new shops."

The store is run by 46-year-old Tony Atwal, of Quinton, who insists he will "do his best for the area."

He added: "We would like to seem some more shops coming along now."

The transformation of the estate got under way last month, after being stalled by the credit crunch.

Sandwell Council and Lyng Community Association signed an agreement with Barratt Homes to complete the £1.1million facelift of the estate.

Now a £1.1million grant from government-backed Urban Living means the project, which will include 420 new homes, is moving forward.