Go-ahead for Wolverhampton shops and offices block
A new £10.6 million office and retail block that will create 250 new jobs on land close to Wolverhampton's bus and rail station has been given the go-ahead.
It will see offices, shops, restaurants and cafes created in Victoria Square and Railway Drive.
Known as 'Block 10', it will be built alongside the £22.5 million bus station that was created in 2011. Block 10 is the second phase of an overhaul of the transport area of the city centre. A report to Wolverhampton City Council's planning committee said an arcade of shops would be created opposite the existing Sainsbury's Local store.
During the meeting, developers revealed talks are under way for a national family chain restaurant to move into the site.
Speaking yesterday Councillor John Rowley said: "I think this is a very good application and shows the regeneration in Wolverhampton in the last few years.
"There are a lot of Victorian buildings in that area of the city – the Queens Building, the Chubb Building and the Prince Albert pub.
"I'm hoping that this project will have the panache of modern development whilst complementing the historic buildings in the area."
Councillor Wendy Thompson described the application as important and hoped it would lead to a much-needed revamp of the city's railway station.
She said: "The railway station that is in need for serious improvement is a gateway to our city and it doesn't give the best impression to visitors to Wolverhampton.
"There have been many times that projects in Wolverhampton have been passed by this committee only for them not to be fulfilled.
"I hope that this is fulfilled and it leads to the redevelopment of the railway station."
In December the city council set out plans to buy the existing buildings at the interchange, which already houses a Sainsbury's store, union offices and a transport information office.
It also intends to buy the existing Queen Building adjacent to the bus station.
Bosses say the investment will help give the city council greater control over what goes on the site, at the end of Piper's Row.
They also aim to sell the buildings in the future once they have been developed.
The council will borrow money to help pay for the development.
