The fate of Wolverhampton’s planned £265 million new Summer Row shopping centre will be decided within weeks, it has been revealed today.
See also: Summer Row video tour
Proposals for the development, which is set to transform retail and leisure in the city, are ploughing forward after being passed on to the Government Office.
A decision on whether the council can use a Compulsory Purchase Order to allow the project to go ahead is now expected by the Secretary of State within 13 weeks.
City regeneration bosses desperate to see the project go ahead now face an anxious wait for the decision along with worried shopkeepers who face their businesses being swallowed up if the scheme is approved.
The complex is to be bordered by Snow Hill, Cleveland Street, Bell Street, Worcester Street, Victoria Street and Temple Street, and will see the relocation of up to 200 businesses.
Council spokesman Tim Clark said a newsletter outlining the latest developments for the project was now being delivered to everyone affected by the CPO.
“It explains the current situation with the CPO decision as well as reassuring shopkeepers within the CPO area that they will not have to close before Christmas and therefore their festive trade will not be affected,” he said.
Regeneration chiefs have been using the proposals to showcase the city to some of the world’s biggest retailers at an international conference.
Debehnams has already signed up to anchor the project and Multi Development, the firm behind the complex, is also poised to announce the next big name to sign up within days.
Summer Row is set to revolutionise shopping in the city and will replace rundown streets around Snow Hill with 80 shops, restaurants and new public squares.
Bosses of Ireland-based Multi Development and council regeneration chiefs Steve Boyes and Councillor Peter Bilson recently showcased the plans at the prestigious three-day British Council of Shopping Centres conference.
A planning inquiry into Summer Row ended in June.
Report by Victoria Nash
One Comment
Existing shopping centres already have a plethora of empty premises. and short stay tenants.
Do we need 80 more shops ?
Where is to be the car parking to sustain all these extra retail outlets?
I hope public money is not involved !