'Rapid progress' at Walsall's St. Matthews Quarter which will boast B&M and Poundland
Work at Walsall's new St Matthew's Quarter is making 'rapid progress' as it heads towards its completion date of May.
Developers St. Modwen's have erected the steel frames on the future retail and leisure site, which is making 'progress week on week' according to Walsall Council.
When complete, the development will boast 55,000 sq ft of new units, ranging between 1,150 sq ft up to 24,400 sq ft. B&M Bargains and Poundland are already confirmed for the new development, named 'The Quarter'.
St. Modwen, which describes the development as 'exciting', said the scheme will help to 'diversify' retail in the town.
Gregg Titley, the development manager at St. Modwen, said: “After many weeks of demolition works to prepare the site, it’s exciting to see the steels supporting the new units coming out of the ground.
“The site is a prime location in the heart of Walsall’s retail district and in an area currently undergoing significant regeneration works.
“With the benefit of planning consent in place for up to 11 new stores across 55,000 sq ft of space and two household brands already signed-up, the development will diversify Walsall’s retail offering and provide a vibrant shopping destination for local people and visitors to enjoy.”
The scheme is expected to create dozens of jobs.
Walsall Council praised the 'rapid progress' of the site and said it would 'encourage further investment' for the town.
Simon Neilson, the executive director for economy and environment at the authority, said: “We are pleased with the rapid progress in St Matthews Quarter, it’s great seeing the development progress week on week. The Council is confident that schemes like this will encourage further investment into heart of the town centre to support the ongoing regeneration of Walsall.”
The scheme is being delivered through St. Modwen, Norton and Proffitt Developments, Goold Estates and Walsall Council.
The development complements the on-going £90 million regeneration of Walsall town centre. Other work includes the redevelopment of the iconic Hole in the Wall. The development includes flats and a restaurant and came about after a devastating fire. Around 100 fire fighters had to tackle the blaze in 2004 at fabric shop Hole in the Wall. But 13 years on, work to redevelop around the shop, which remains open is nearly complete.
The town centre is currently a hive of development for Walsall with a new Primark opening last August and a cinema and leisure development underway at the waterfront.
For more information on the St Matthew's Quarter development, visit www.thequarter-walsall.co.uk
