Finishing touches at Tesco's new £55m Walsall store

The finishing touches are being put to Walsall's new £55 million Tesco store, which will open to the public within days.

The Express & Star was allowed a sneak look inside the supermarket off Littleton Street West before its rows of shelves are stocked.

Contractors Bowmer & Kirkland are finishing the huge 117,000 sq ft site bordered by St Paul's Street and Townend Square.

The shelves are ready to be filled with stock, which was arriving today, ahead of the grand opening.

When the doors are open on December 6, people will have access to the main shopping area via escalators.

A second pair of escalators lead to the mezzanine floor which has a glass balcony overlooking the lower floor. It will include a huge clothes area, a shoe department, a home entertainment centre, photo lab, opticians and a pharmacy with consulting rooms.

The 111-seater cafe overlooks Townend Square with views to the New Art Gallery and Stafford Street.

Job Centre Plus and Walsall College joined forces with the store to give 45 of the 230 jobs to long-term unemployed people.

And store manager Peter Bailey said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for Walsall. Already there is a great atmosphere here, and we're looking forward to welcoming everyone."