£50m to bring Dudley town centre back to life

The ambitious £50million regeneration plans will see restaurants, shops and houses built alongside a supermarket in the town centre.

This week, council chiefs confirmed the Porters Field project has now moved a step closer, after 18 months of talks.

The plan includes restaurants, cafes and a gym and would bring 500 jobs to the town.

Eyesore office block Cavendish House will be demolished to make way for a modern store and a stylish public piazza.

And bosses have released the first image of how the project will take shape.

It sits at the Birmingham Street entrance to Churchill Precinct.

Avenbury Developments is undertaking the scheme.

John Millar, acting strategic director for economy, environment and housing, said: "We are pleased that one of the key elements of the ongoing regeneration story in Dudley town centre is now falling into place, despite difficult market conditions.

"The proposal on the table from Avenbury, which is subject to normal planning processes, will bring another major boost for the town."

It would include designated areas for restaurants and cafes, business units and shops stretching between King Street and Flood Street and between Flood Street and Oakeywell Street.

The scheme would also aim to improve links between King Street and the rest of the town centre such as High Street and market place.

Developer Commercial Estates Group already has planning permission for the foodstore and has previously announced proposals to expand its regeneration scheme for the site of Falcon House in the Minories.

Richard Burke, from Commercial Estates Group, has previously said: "We can bring forward a new supermarket but the site is capable of delivering so much more for Dudley.

"With the regeneration of King Street this offers a unique opportunity to deliver homes, commercial and leisure uses, community facilities and retail while reconnecting King Street to the town centre."

It is the latest regeneration scheme aiming to breath new life into the town centre.

A £650,000 project to open up King Street to all traffic for the first time in 12 years was completed in December.

Previously only buses and taxis had been able to use the route and motorists wanting to drive from one side of King Street to the other were diverted around the Flood Street car parks to the rear of King Street.

But now all traffic can use the route and eight extra parking spaces have been provided in a bid to encourage more passing trade.