Walsall town centre set to change forever as huge regeneration plans approved

The scheme, titled the Connected Gateway Project, will see the demolition of several buildings on Park Street to create a new town centre plaza.

The works focus on opening up the area around Butler’s Passage, the grubby footpath linking Park Street and St Paul’s bus station which is well known for attracting antisocial behaviour. Council-owned buildings neighbouring Butler’s Passage will be demolished to create a large open public realm.

David Moore, the director for special programmes at Walsall Council, said the demolition of 38-46 Park Street is expected to begin later this year.

The buildings set for removal include the former Foot Locker, Subway, Fonehub (formerly Halifax), and Card Factory. The former Foot Locker and Subway building is locally listed.

The architects had looked into working around the building but decided that the benefits of flattening it outweighed any negative impacts resulting from the loss of a heritage asset. Moore suggested that some of the heritage elements from the demolished building could be used on the street furniture.

There was one objector to the plans speaking at the planning meeting, a business owner at the Subway. The owner said he had only purchased the business in January 2024, and that he will face a loss having to close it.

Moore reported that positive feedback was received from students at Walsall College. He said: “Our young people have said they feel unsafe in the town centre and described Butler’s Passage as ‘vomit alley’. By contrast they saw the new proposals as aesthetically pleasing and boojee–which I understand is a positive word.”

Now approved, the works will coincide with the ongoing Bradford Mall renovations, the reconfiguration of the former M&S building, set to become an Adult Learning Facility in partnership with Walsall College, the regeneration of the Grade II listed Guildhall which will become a Creative Industries Enterprise Centre, and the building of a new canal footbridge linking Crown Wharf Retail Park to the residential estate on the opposite side of the canal.

Members also received a presentation about the Walsall Active Public Space scheme.

The development runs alongside the Walsall Connect Gateway Project and will see improvements to the area outside Walsall Art Gallery with new greenery, a water feature, and space to host pop-up events.

Members were supportive of the Walsall Connected Gateway Project, and voted unanimously to approve the plans. Several of which said they were happy to see the back of Butler’s Passage, with councillor Bott the committee about the £75,000 once spent on it.