West Bromwich Tesco store forges ahead despite rain

Construction of West Bromwich's £200 million new Tesco development is forging ahead, despite the poor summer weather, bosses have said.

Building work to the 139,000 sq ft Tesco store, which is part of the 437,00 sq ft New Square shopping and leisure centre, started in February and is progressing well despite the unseasonal rainfall.

The major development by Spenhill, the regeneration arm of Tesco, will open in the town next spring and construction workers have already started building the first retail units, restaurants and cinema.

Vinci Construction UK is the main contractor for the project expected to create around 2,000 new jobs.

Sean Delaney, senior project manager for Vinci, said: "Work to the glazing and cladding of the Tesco store is nearing completion and all the concrete flooring within the store site has now been poured.

"Construction work on the first five retail units, restaurants and cinema is also progressing well.

"The steelwork and roofing for the units that will comprise Next, JD Sports and Bank has been completed and the construction of the walls is now in progress.

"At the same time, the roof and floors are now being installed to the restaurants and cinema. Work to what will be the new management suite is also in progress."

Other retailers who have signed up to the scheme include Primark, Arcadia, Phones 4 U, Nandos, Prezzo, Deichmann and Harvester.

Jonathan Simpson, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, added: "It is fantastic to see construction progressing so well despite everything that mother nature has thrown at us so far this summer."