Express & Star

Baggies to open first shop in West Bromwich

West Bromwich Albion is opening a club shop in its home town for the first time, the Express & Star can reveal.

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The club will take over an empty store opposite Game in Queens Square in West Bromwich.

It will open on Friday at 10am, with ex players Darren Moore and Tony Brown cutting the ribbon.

The pop-up shop is being leased on a short three-month lease, as the club aim to make the most of the rush for shirts before Christmas.

The club already has one store at Merry Hill and a megastore at The Hawthorns.

Club spokesman Martin Swain said: "We are taking over the shop for the Christmas period.

"It will be open for three months to cover the Christmas period and January sales.

"The store will make it easier for fans to buy club material ahead of Christmas."

Councillor Darren Cooper, leader of Sandwell Council and a West Bromwich Albion fan has welcomed the move.

He said: "It's good news. I've been a little bit critical of the Albion board in the recent times, but actually having a shop in a positive step.

"It's is only for three months but you never know, they might end up leaving it there."

Developers have said the store is one of four that will be opening in the near future.

It is believed that Burger King and Dixy Chicken will take over two units opposite Central Sixth, the Sandwell College sixth form that has moved into the former Public building.

That's Entertainment is also believed to be close to taking over a unit inside the shopping centre, while talks are ongoing to fill the remaining units.

The refit is the latest boost to West Bromwich High Street after the opening of New Square shopping centre last year.

The news follows the announcement that the town's popular market hall in Kings Square will also be getting a six-figure facelift. A new entrance to the market will be created over the coming months in a £110,000 project which aims to boost business.

The plinth of a current market stall inside the hall will also be removed to open up floor space, and the area will be redecorated.

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