Poll: Which new stores would you like to see in Wolverhampton's Mander Centre?
Store owners have had their say over plans to consign discount stores to the bargain bin at a Black Country shopping centre.
Bosses at the new owners of Wolverhampton's Mander Centre, Benson Elliot, say they want to change the face of shopping in the centre by getting rid of the 'discount store mentality' as part of a £25 million revamp.
The firm aims to create a more upmarket feel, replacing 'pop-up' stores and empty units with mid to high end fashion shops.
The changes will affect dozens of stores, with some planning to bail out before the redevelopment starts and others saying their future is hanging in the balance.
Staff at discount clothing store Carbon say they are unsure about the shop's future once its current one year lease expires. The first floor store will be forced to close when the revamp takes place but could be offered an alternate unit in the Mander Centre.
Manager Kam Cheema said: "We know about the changes. We have been here for three years and hope to be able to stay. There is a demand for cheap, quality clothing in Wolverhampton.
"Our customers tell us they wouldn't know where to shop if we weren't here."
Bosses at Winks Beauty say they may close when their current lease comes to an end in six months time.
The business has been operating from it's store on the ground floor for the past five years.
Manager Manjit Kaur said: "We know we might have to go. They are making big changes and at the moment we don't know where we fit in.
"If we are offered another space in the Mander Centre we would like to stay here. If there are bigger stores here then it would be better for our business. Trade is slow now anyway. We can't make the money we did three or four years ago."
CEX Entertainment Exchange could also be bidding the centre farewell after trading there for around 10 years.
The firm has more than 300 franchised stores across the UK.
Store supervisor Dan Gross said: "For us it would not be a huge disposition if we had to move elsewhere.
"We have been looking for a bigger place for some time. The important thing for us is to stay in Wolverhampton, regardless of whether we are in the Mander Centre."
