Poundland store at £12m Walsall complex

The Willenhall-based firm has been confirmed for the £12 million St Matthew's Quarter development, which is expected to create around 200 new jobs overall. It will join homeware store B&M which has already struck a deal to move into the complex.

Poundland bosses said they were delighted to take on the 8,900 sq ft unit on a 10-year lease – their third store in the town after branches in the Saddlers Shopping Centre and Park Street.

Ben Wall, Poundland's head of portfolio management, said: "Poundland has grown significantly over the past 12 months and we're delighted to see this expansion continuing with another store in Walsall.

"The existing stores have been very popular with local shoppers and we are confident this store will be just as successful."

Norton and Proffitt Developments, a joint venture between St Modwen and Goold Estates Ltd, was granted planning permission for the multi-million pound development by Walsall Council. It will see 11 units for retail, restaurants and leisure created in Digbeth and Lower Hall Lane, although there is no confirmed date for work to start.

Mark Watkins, senior development surveyor at St Modwen, said: "The lettings to Poundland and B&M are a brilliant start for our new development of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities at St Matthew'.

"We have been encouraged by the interest from retailers, as well as restaurant and leisure operators."

The retail and leisure development is part of Norton and Profitt's wider £90 million regeneration of St Matthew's Quarter, and will create 90,000sq ft of new retail and leisure amenities in Walsall's town centre.

Dominic Goold, of Goold Estates, added: "Poundland and B&M getting on-board marks the beginning of the next phase of the St Matthews Quarter project, which continues to transform this area of Walsall."

Walsall's regeneration chief, Councillor Mohammad Nazir said: "I welcome the commitment of these two leading retailers and look forward to other occupiers signing up to enable the early delivery of this project."

"The council has worked closely with Norton and Proffitt on the scheme, including investing its own land, which will complement the wider regeneration of St. Matthew's Quarter, including the council's own investment in the Primark and Co-op development."