Latest News - Press Release
WALSALL COLLEGE AND TESCO SIGN UP TO £100 MILLION INVESTMENT PROJECT THAT PUTS 'WALSALL FIRST' - 17th January 2006
Contracts between Walsall College and Tesco have been signed in an agreement that will deliver a state-of-the-art Business and Learning Campus and new Tesco Extra in the heart of Walsall.
The £100 million investment marks the inauguration of ‘Walsall First’ – a pioneering initiative between the college, Tesco, Walsall Regeneration Company (WRC) and Walsall Council to help create a ‘seed-bed’ of enterprise, skills and business that will make Walsall one of the leading towns in the West Midlands.
The project is one of the eight major transformational schemes identified in WRC’s ‘Prospectus for Growth’, confirmed today (17 January) as the regeneration framework that will deliver more than 5,500 new jobs, around £755 million in public and private sector investment and more than 1,600 new homes over the next 10 to 15 years.
In principle, Tesco and the college have agreed to a land swap that releases land on Littleton Street for the new college campus and which allows Tesco to relocate to a new store on the existing college site at St Paul’s.
Dr Peter Cromar Chief Executive of WRC said: “This is excellent news for Walsall. The combination of a high quality retail offer with a major investment in business and learning provides the impetus Walsall needs to fulfil its role as a vibrant 21st century market town.”
Walsall Council has played a key role by making its land available where the college buildings and superstore would be built. Councillor Adrian Andrew, cabinet member for regeneration said: “Walsall Council is committed to strengthening our borough’s economy and ensuring that citizens of all ages have education and training opportunities relevant to today’s career needs.”
Walsall College has been using its existing campus for over 50 years. College Principal Chris Ball, said: “The new business and learning campus will provide state of the art facilities, a responsive industry-led curriculum and will help secure Walsall’s position as a major business centre in the West Midlands.”
David Hall, Tesco Development Executive for the site added: “We are delighted to be involved in this forward-looking project that will give local people the skills and confidence to be successful and to help Walsall nurture the ability to attract major employers to the town.”
John Edwards, Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands, the regional development agency, said: “WRC has undoubtedly achieved a notable landmark by bringing on board a major private sector company such as Tesco, to play a lead role in this visionary public-private sector scheme.”
The project is part-funded by the Black Country Learning and Skills Council, the organisation responsible for the provision of post-16 education and training across the sub-region.
Michael Kilduff, Black Country LSC Director of Planning, Partnerships and Regeneration, said: “As well as contributing £17.5 million towards the overall costs, and helping to secure over £3 million from AWM, the LSC has played an instrumental role in the development of Walsall First, helping to engage a wide range of local partners in its development.”
Proposals are in the early stages however a public exhibition showing what the development could look like will be held at Walsall College from Monday 23 - Saturday 28 January
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For further information please contact:
Walsall Regeneration Company
Nigel Pipkin or Kate Arnold, Seal Communications
Tel: 0121 200 0780
nigelpipkin@sealcommunications.co.uk
Walsall College
John Beaty, marketing manager
Tel: 01922 657095
jbeaty@walcat.ac.uk
Tesco
Katherine Edwards, corporate affairs manager
Tel: 01992 632222
Katherine.edwards@uk.tesco.com
Walsall Council
Tony Moran, press and publicity officer
Tel: 01922 653573
Moran.t@walsall.gov.uk
Public Exhibition: Walsall College
Monday 23 January – Saturday 28 January 2006
Opening Times:
Monday to Friday: 10.00am – 6.30pm
Saturday 10.00am - 12.30pmConsultants will be available at specific times throughout the week for discussion.