Halesowen shopping centre work to address 'safety risk'
A shopping centre frontage is to be replaced as part of it poses a danger to pedestrians, it has been revealed.
Planning experts said canopies outside the Cornbow centre in Halesowen were ‘failing’ and presented a ‘health and safety risk’ to shoppers.
The shopping centre is being revamped as part of a £1.2 million upgrade and the changes to improve safety will be made as part of the scheme.
Documents submitted by planning agents IDP to support the project, which has been approved by council bosses, revealed there were safety concerns over parts of the structure.
They said: "This design and access statement has been prepared in support of the planning application for the removal of the existing canopies from Hagley Street facade of the Cornbow shopping centre, which are currently a health and safety risk.
"The proposed site is the front elevation of the Cornbow shopping centre, and specifically the canopy which is above the public highway along this façade.
"The canopy is dated, and the numerous columns and totems act as a barrier to shoppers, but more importantly the canopy is in a state of disrepair, held up by a number of temporary struts.
"The proposed replacement of this canopy is therefore not just an aesthetic issue but an issue of health and safety to pedestrians."
The work to transform the shopping centre will take place in two phases with the first part concentrating on the outside of the centre - addressing the concerns over safety.
The towers to the Hagley Street elevation will be replaced with a new entrance canopy, to provide visitors with a more modern and open entrance. Exterior walls will 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.
Cornbow’s shops - including New Look, Peacocks, Clarks, Greggs and Druckers - will remain open throughout the improvements.
Active Construction, based in Coventry, has been selected to complete the works and CBRE, based in Birmingham, has been appointed as project managers to oversee the design and planning of the improvements.
