West Bromwich Tesco project steps forward

The £200 million regeneration of West Bromwich town centre took a major step forward today, with construction giant Vinci announced as contractors.

The company will move on site within weeks. Under the Tesco-led scheme 570,487sq ft of the town centre will be transformed, with the creation of a 144,236sq ft Tesco Extra, cinema, shops, restaurants and a petrol station.

Councillor Ian Jones, Sandwell Council's jobs and economy boss, said: "Vinci will be contractor for the development, with the final legal agreements now being drawn up.

"Everything should be sorted out by mid-May, with workers on the site by the end of that month.

"This marks a big step forward for the scheme and we must now do everything in our power to ensure that everything goes smoothly and is ready for the Christmas 2012 opening date."

In addition to the shops and leisure facilities being created as part of the project, a new ringway is being created, along with improved public spaces, landscaping, a 1,900-space car park. The development is set to create 2,000 jobs.

Demolition has already been carried out in the town centre, with a number of buildings, including the former Cronehills Primary School already knocked down.

Vinci Plc and Tesco were unavailable for comment today.