A former metal coating factory in a Black Country town is set to be transformed into a new parade of shops and flats.

Developers are ready to start work as soon as possible on the scheme in Great Bridge, which it is hoped will regenerate the area and create around a dozen jobs.

It is hoped the new shop units in Great Bridge Street, which are likely to include a fish and chip shop, grocery store with an off-licence and a hairdressers, will all soon be in business despite the recession and bring a much needed boost to the area.

The planned redevelopment is on a site previously owned by Wolverhampton-based Cooper Coated Coil Ltd, next to Asda at the end of the high street.

The three storey Bill House office building at the front of the site will be converted into three shops, with four flats above.

The industrial units behind the offices will be used as stores, toilets and staff kitchens.

New shop fronts will replace the ground floor windows.

Project manager Kay Sidhu, who’s family have bought the premises, said some preparatory work had already begun and the redevelopment would begin in earnest as soon as planning permission for the change of use was granted.

He believes it will bring much needed investment.

He said: “We are confident we will get people into the shops, that is not a problem.”

“It will be creating jobs as well, hopefully 10 to 12 jobs plus the building work.”

Great Bridge ward councillor Derek Rowley said: “As long as they feel they can get people into the shop units and they are occupied rather than empty then, it is a welcome addition and it will extend the high street.”