Dramatic changes within Walsall town centre will see significant improvements in the town’s retail, culture and leisure offer along with better, high quality homes. The creation of Walsall Gigaport will deliver a 21st century technology platform that will act as a springboard for attracting new industries by focusing on a small number of key sectors best located to exploit the advantages offered by fibre optics.

The emerging rebirth of the town centre and the development of the Gigaport will be key factors in transforming the town’s economic landscape, fundamental and innovative changes that will enable Walsall to play an increasingly pivotal role in the wider West Midlands region.

Through these initiatives, WRC is establishing Walsall at the leading edge of the region’s renaissance laying the firm foundations for a dynamic sustainable 21st Century economy equipped to compete successfully in an increasingly global marketplace.

With a wholly rejuvenated employment, retail, culture, leisure and housing offer the town centre will compete very successfully with other regional centres and act as the powerhouse for the regeneration of the borough as a whole.

High quality design, an innovative approach to public realm and best practice internationally will continue to inform the design, development and delivery of key transformational projects and will demonstrate a clear connectivity between them all.

New attractive vistas will be opened up and public spaces created and revitalised, making the town more welcoming for shoppers, workers, residents and visitors, with greater accessibility; thus promoting a sustainable economic revival and greater prosperity for the town.

Modern ‘city living’ schemes comprising residential development alongside shops and offices, designed to fit appropriately with the existing streets and buildings such as Waterfront, are already being delivered within the town centre.

Walsall First

• £100 million-plus scheme for new Walsall College and Tesco store.
• Work started on site on the £65 million college in August 2007. College to open in September 2009.

Waterfront North

• £65 million iconic Urban Splash proposals, supported by Advantage West Midlands, due to start on site in early 2008.

Waterfront South

• Major £62 million mixed use scheme granted planning approval in June 2007.
• Work to start on site by Spring 2008.

Manor Hospital

• Planning permission for £162 million scheme granted in June 2007.
• Work is already under way.

St Matthew’s Quarter

• Largest town centre ASDA in the UK opened in July 2007.
• Masterplans for later phases being prepared by developer.

Canalside