First glimpse of £12m St Matthews Quarter in Walsall town centre revamp

Demolition work has already started at St Matthews Quarter and it is hoped the new retail and leisure development will be finished next year.

Builders St Modwen yesterday issued their first mock-up of the project once it is completed which features modern shop fronts and outdoor eating areas.

It will officially be referred to as The Quarter and made up of 55,000 sq ft of new retails units including B&M and Poundland who have already signed pre-lets agreements to open next spring.

Gregg Titley, development surveyor at St Modwen, said: "The Quarter represents an exciting new retail proposition for Walsall, in an area which is currently undergoing significant regeneration works.

"With planning secured for up to 11 new stores across 55,000 sq ft of space, this vibrant new quarter will enhance Walsall's retail offering and become a destination which the people of Walsall and visitors to the town centre can enjoy."

The work is the second part of a multi-million pound investment in St Matthews Quarter.

Phase One included building the largest town centre ASDA superstore in the UK as well as a 1,000 car park which opened in 2007.

Council bosses touted the £25million project as a 'major demonstration of confidence' in Walsall as a modern day retail location. Plans for the second phase had to be rethought when the listed Shannon's Ill had to be demolished due to a fire in August 2007. The demolition work was originally supposed to begin last year but eventually started earlier this month.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council said: "It's been worth the wait for this next step in Walsall's regeneration to take place. It's great these derelict buildings will be replaced by retail units to create jobs for local people."

The new retail area will has been touted for its accessible area a five-minute walk from the town's rail and bus stations.

It will be located next to the large Primark store which opened last year.