Big names vying for new food court spot at Walsall's Saddlers Centre

A specialist area of the Saddlers Centre made up of cafes, restaurants and food retailers is being planned to boost trade at the site. And the owners today revealed that they are in advanced negotiations with chains wanting to take over some of the units. Deals are expected to be struck in the coming weeks and the firms could move in at the beginning of 2014.

Property investment firm Topland Group bought the centre from Scottish Widows Investment Partnership for an undisclosed sum in February this year.

Steve Pope, group asset manager for Topland, said: "We are in detailed negotiations with a number of household names which will bring an exciting and vibrant food offer to the centre and will compliment its existing extensive retail offer."

He said the centre was expected to be fully occupied in the run-up to Christmas.

He added: "Topland are very enthused with the progress that is being made since we acquired the scheme.

"We have attracted new retailers such as Costa, Ryman, Blue Inc and Street UK and retained major tenants such as Subway and Phones 4 U.

"We now anticipate any vacant units will be fully occupied in the run-up to Christmas."

In the short term, Topland wants to work to bring new businesses into the centre, which opened in 1980, and create a food court offering a variety of choices.

Bosses also aim to improve signage and the link from the car park, which recently underwent a £400,000 improvement, to the centre itself.

Argos and Marks & Spencer already have anchor stores in the Saddlers Centre, which has around 195,800 sq ft of retail space.

It comes after Topland voiced concerns over the plans for St Matthew's Quarter in the town. Bosses claimed the scheme would have a 'detrimental impact to Walsall's future prosperity'.

The development will create 11 new units including space for retail, restaurants and leisure in Digbeth and Lower Hall Lane.