Brierley Hill's Moor Centre to get new shops and investment
A shopping centre in Brierley Hill has been bought by a property firm which has pledged to bring in new shops and attract more shoppers.
The Moor Centre has been snapped up by Evolve Estates for an undisclosed sum.
The London-based property company, which has a property portfolio worth almost £100 million, said it will invest in the 14-unit centre on the High Street.
Traders and councillors have welcomed the move and hope it will help the regeneration of Brierley Hill.
Danny O'Keefe, partner at Evolve Estates, said: "We will be investing in a programme of refurbishment and improvements to significantly improve the scheme for the benefit of occupiers and their customers.
"Along with our managing agents, London and Cambridge Properties, who are located close to Brierley Hill, we will be working closely with Dudley Council and Brierley Hill businesses to ensure the success of the centre, attracting a greater footfall and a range of new tenants."
The centre already has several retail chain store tenants including Iceland, Superdrug, Boots, BetFred and Greggs. It is hoped the new programme of investment will attract more tenants.
Councillor Rachel Harris said: "With this sale, the Moor Centre could be a really vibrant and viable centre like it has been in the past.
"We welcome anybody coming in to invest in the area and I hope that they will work with both the council and councillors, as well as the community, because we have been and want to continue to drive the regeneration of the High Street in Brierley Hill.
"Local people have been very concerned as the shops have emptied, but I believe they would be very excited to see a new developer alongside new retailers, to put Brierley Hill High Street back on the map.
"If the new buyers bring in the right resources and are hoping to invest and work with us and the community, it will be a fantastic thing for the town.
"As councillors, we have been working very hard behind the scenes to get more investment into the town."
Shane Birch-Bastock, chairman of Brierley Hill Traders Association, said: "I think it is a good thing. We spoke to Dudley Council before Christmas and they asked what our main concerns were and we used the Moor Centre as an example.
"It had stalled and there was not much being done on it. Traders were having problems with the landlord so hopefully this will be good for them.
"It is good to finally see investment in the area and I hope it is onwards and upwards."
