New restaurants coming to West Bromwich's Queens Square
Five new restaurants will be coming to West Bromwich's Queens Square shopping centre in the new year as part of a multi-million pound revamp. Work on the second stage of the renovations will get underway shortly to convert tired old shops into restaurants to encourage shoppers to stay longer in the town centre.
Talks are ongoing with potential tenants but bosses are keeping tight-lipped on well-known names that could bring their outlets to the town once the work is complete.
Work for phase two of the development was hoped to be completed by the end of 2015.
However, despite the delay, bosses say restaurants are still on the agenda for the beginning of 2016 – which would join other popular eateries including Prezzo, Nando's and Harvester at nearby New Square.
Aaron Powell, operations manager at Queens Square, said: "Plans have just been put on hold at the minute due to circumstances.
"Although we can't give any details of restaurant names yet there are still offers on the table and we will hopefully be confirming details before new year."
Extensive
The centre has undergone extensive changes since 2014, with the completion of the first phase of the £7 million overhaul – which has included the creation of new modern and welcoming entrances at each elevation of the centre among the changes.
Facilities were improved including the opening of new public toilets, while the mall area was redecorated to give a spacious and more welcoming feel.
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The centre had a revamped logo for a modernised feel, while a central square area between the malls was created.
Phase two will also see an internal restructuring of the current units to create basic shells of the new layouts, which is stated on the Queen Square website as an 'exciting milestone in demonstrating its commitment to its visitors and West Bromwich'.
John Hodgkiss, West Bromwich BID (Business Improvement District) manager, spoke positively of the continued refurbishment.
"The major refurbishment is hoping to get as many people as possible into the centre in the new year," he said.
"Us, as part of BID, are aiming to start an empty unit project in the centre too, but that may be something we focus on in the next few years of our movement.
"But for now we are still concentrating tackling West Bromwich High Street.
"West Bromwich is constantly seeking to improve its facilities and I'm sure this phase will add to the existing redevelopment of the shopping areas," he added.
