College relocation in store for Walsall's former M&S under plans to revive town centre fortunes

Plans are in the early stages to shut the Walsall College Leamore Campus, formerly known as Walsall Adult Community College, and move the operation into the old M&S unit in Park Street as part of the town centre's Connected Gateway Project. 

Walsall College and Walsall Council chiefs are currently working in partnership on brand new designs to convert the unit, which was occupied by the department store chain for 75 years until it closed down seven years ago, into a town centre campus. It is aimed at improving access to courses for residents aspiring to gain new skills and qualifications.

A planning application is due to be lodged and if the scheme goes ahead it is expected to also generate more footfall to the main shopping zone and to food enterprises. 

The borough's regeneration chief Councillor Adrian Andrew said: "If this can be delivered it will be a brilliant opportunity for more people to get access to educational qualifications and learn new skills. It would also support the town centre economy, bringing footfall to businesses including the restaurants, bars and cafes. 

"People come in the town centre for a variety of reasons and education is one of them. The adult education campus at Leamore is not too far away, but the idea is that if it's in a central location it will be easier for more potential learners to access."

The campus situated off Hawbush Road in Leamore shares the site with entertainment venue Walsall Arena, formerly known as Forest Arts Centre, and with the borough's Schools' Music Support Service.  

The council also stated: “The proposal to move part of the college from its Hawbush site to a new town centre location in the former M&S is part of the Walsall Town Deal programme and plans are being worked up with the college and updates provided to the town deal board.

 "At this time we do not have any confirmed plans to move the Arena and the Music Support Service from the site.”

The former school site off Bloxwich Road was built in the 1950s and was originally known as W.R. Wheway School before becoming Forest Comprehensive School from 1973-July 1992. It served pupils from the Blakenall Heath, Harden Goscote and Coalpool communities and closed due to falling rolls.

M&S had been the anchor store at the Saddlers Centre shopping complex which is due to undergo a major multi-million pound facelift which will see improved links between the main bus station in St Paul's Street and the railway station by knocking down a number of shops in Park Street.

It is being done under the Connected Gateway scheme aimed to create a more inviting town centre. It is being funded partly from Walsall’s £1.5 billion regeneration investment package and £11.4m from the Future High Street Funding awarded by the government in 2021.