Visits to West Bromwich's New Square up by one million

Visitor numbers to the shopping centre have shot up by 25 per cent to 5.5 million between January and September compared to 4.1 million in 2014.

It follows the centre's busiest summer which saw a total of 650,000 shoppers flock to the complex each month in June, July and August - 12.5 per cent up on last year.

Plans for two new shops that will open before Christmas, possibly a clothes or food shop, are also in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, clothes shop Peacocks opened yesterday, with jewellers Warren James due to open its doors tomorrow.

Centre manager Steve Burr spoke of his joy at how the centre has turned into a major retail and leisure complex in just two years.

"New Square offers a great range of retail and leisure for the people of Sandwell and the surrounding areas, with convenient public transport links and a good road network," he said. "We give people the choice to shop and enjoy themselves locally rather than going to other destinations further afield.

"We have great free events for people with the likes of pop up fashion shows and the summer beach as well as working alongside Sandwell Children's Hospital.

"We are looking to hopefully have more stores arriving this side of Christmas too. That will leave a couple of units left for the new year which we already have significant interest in.

"People come here now and can't believe they are in West Bromwich - in two years we have done exceedingly well."

An average weekly footfall of 148,000 people from January to September is up on 125,000 in the same period from last year.

The shopping centre has had just under 14 million visitors since its opening in July 2013.

The arrival of shops such as Specsavers, Thomson, Funky Monkeys and The Interceptor pub have added to the complex this year.

Store manager of Peacocks, Tracey Davis, which has created 15 jobs, added: "We are situated in a prime position in the complex and look forward to welcoming new and old customers."