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60 jobs on way in Walsall retail park warehouse plan

A giant warehouse selling discount goods will open in Walsall creating around 60 jobs, under new plans revealed today.

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The new JTF outlet has been earmarked for empty units on the Bescot Retail Park and will be the first in the Black Country.

It operates as a members-only retail warehouse club and has 12 other branches in the UK selling goods including clothing, furniture and DIY items.

Empty units will be combined to create a store of more than 44,000sq ft in Bescot Crescent, near to Walsall Football Club.

The likes of JJB and Toymaster have closed down over the years and the proposals will help to revitalise the retail park.

The company primarily sells larger items in multi-packs at discounted rates. The branches usually stock everything from food and drink to toiletries, toys and electrical products.

Other stores in the Midlands are in Kidderminster and Tamworth. Bosses say it will create 'economic benefits' to the Walsall borough.

The plans have been lodged with Walsall Council and will be considered by the planning committee or officers under delegated powers within the coming months.

In the application letter, property manager Rob Amans said: "JFT is a successful operation servicing the needs of its customers. We consider that customers in Walsall would benefit from our operation. The community would also benefit from the 60 or so jobs that we could create from a store at Bescot and we are sure there would be other knock on economic benefits for Walsall from the proposed investment.

"Bescot is well suited to our property needs to serve the Walsall area and we hope that we will be granted permission to open."

A spokesperson for the project added: "This application is about securing fresh investment and new jobs for the retail park and for Walsall. We look forward to continuing to work with the council and engaging with the local community to take the application forward."

The retail park has more than 680 parking spaces. Business operating there include Matalan, McDonalds and Farmfoods.

Walsall Mayor and Palfrey councillor Mohammad Nazir said: "I would welcome anything that brings jobs to the borough."

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