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TESCO TO START BUILDING WALSALL SUPERSTORE IN BOOST FOR TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION - 20 January 2010
Tesco announced today that it will start building work on its multi-million pound superstore in Walsall next week (w/c 25 Jan) in a major boost for the town centre’s regeneration.
The development at St Paul’s Street will create around 200 new jobs and is thanks to the Walsall First initiative, a successful partnership between Tesco, Walsall College, Walsall Council and Walsall Regeneration Company.
The store will take shape on the former Walsall College site and is due to open in early spring 2011 to improve the town’s retail offer. It is one of the major transformational schemes being championed to deliver a new-look Walsall.
Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: “Demolition went well and we can now get the construction phase underway. This much anticipated project will give people better facilities and greater choice, create jobs for local people and play its part in realising the overall vision for regeneration in the town centre.
“It has been a truly co-operative venture between all the partners concerned and it shows how working together can really deliver great results.”
In a land swap deal Walsall College moved to a new site and opened its Wisemore Campus in September last year. With the new Manor Hospital due to open this year and work to start soon on the new homes at Walsall Waterfront, investment and change is much in evidence in the town.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council Deputy Leader said: “This is fantastic news. Creating scores of new jobs has to be a major boost to the town. We played a vital role in helping to arrange the complex land swap that paved the way for this and the Walsall College development to go ahead.
“There are also tremendous benefits to be had for local companies as part of the Think Walsall initiative which sees us encourage Walsall business to gain from development in Walsall. It’s another demonstration that Walsall is open for business in times of recession.”
WRC chairman Brian Lowe said: “The Tesco development shows how regeneration initiatives are progressing despite tough economic times. It is a further demonstration of how our approach to working with partners from the private and public sector and our focus on key schemes will deliver a better future for Walsall.
“Tesco is also committed to giving jobs to local people, especially those in long-term unemployment who show the skills and aptitude to get back into work.”
The store will include a new petrol filling station and 752 car parking spaces and will replace the existing Tesco Metro store at The Bridge.
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