Gallagher Retail Park to get big expansion

Hundreds of new jobs are set to be created in the Black Country with the expansion of a major shopping park in Wednesbury.

The Gallagher Retail Park has filled all of its existing units and is now to build on vacant land at the site, it has been revealed today.

It is hoped at least three new retailers will move into the space over the next few years, creating scores of new jobs for residents.

The park which is located near to Junction 9 of the M6 is already celebrating after filling all its units, with the arrival of retailers including TK Maxx, Outfit, Mamas and Papas and Boots.

Marston's this week announced it will open a £2.5m new pub creating up to 60 jobs and fashion store Lipsy is also set to open up there.

Mark Edwards, head of investment and development at Gallagher UK has now said the company is to invest in existing vacant land at the site.

Mr Edwards said: "The next phase is to try and take the location forward and look to extend the location.

"We are looking around the periphery of the site where we still own parts of land that haven't been developed."

Mr Edwards said new stores could bring in several hundred jobs depending on what companies move in, but it was unlikely anyone would move into the site for at least two years.

"We can probably bring in two to three further occupiers," he added.

"We are working with relatively small parcels of land, but there is scope to accommodate two or maybe three further operators and we are working with the existing site and the tenants to make the most of what we've got."

Councillor Ian Jones, Sandwell's cabinet member for jobs and economy, welcomed the news. He said: "This will be excellent news for Sandwell and Wednesbury. We wish them every success in their plans for expansion. The council is fully supportive of bringing investment into the area."