Cornbow shopping centre in Halesowen announces £1.2m investment

The work will take place in two phases, with the first part concentrating on the outside of the centre.

It will involve the removal of the existing canopies from the façade of the shopping centre, on Hagley Street and Queensway Mall. The towers to the Hagley Street elevation will be replaced with a new entrance canopy, intended to provide visitors with a more modern and open entrance area.

Exterior walls will also benefit from a deep-clean, which will improve the overall look of the centre. Phase one works are due to be completed in the autumn.

Adrian Oliver, owner of Cornbow Shopping Centre, said: “The existing canopies and structural beams around the centre are outdated and in need of modernising. These improvements will make the entrance area and shop fronts clearer and lighter for pedestrians.

“Cornbow’s existing 45 outlets – including New Look, Peacocks, Clarks, Greggs and Druckers – will remain open throughout the improvements. It’s business as usual at The Cornbow. All works will be done out of normal trading hours, in the evening, to ensure any disruption to local businesses and the general public will be minimal.”

Active Construction, which is based Coventry, has been selected to complete the works and CBRE, based in Birmingham on Temple Row, has been appointed as project managers to oversee the design and planning for the improvements.

Paul Roberts, construction director at Active Construction, said: “We are delighted to be working with The Cornbow to see through these vital improvement works at the Halesowen shopping centre.

“Restoring and regenerating the shopping centre will not only support the existing tenants but it will help attract more customers as well as encouraging further retail and leisure investment at the centre.”

Phase two of the works will start early next year. This part of the redevelopment is still in the planning stages and it will involve interior improvements to centre lighting, flooring, heating and ceilings.

In 2008 The Cornbow was at the centre of a £30 million redevelopment project including a brand-new Asda store and 600-space car park.