Revamp for shop centre

Ambitious multi-million pound plans to transform a rundown shopping centre and car park in Stourbridge have been revealed by property developers.

The refurbishment of the Crown Centre will include revamping the crumbling Bell Street car park and building 45 new flats.

Centre owner Modus bosses today said they are proposing to construct a 70,000 sq ft flagship store along with a new multi-storey shoppers' car park, plus eight shop units.

The scheme will also include a new market hall and a link from Bell Street to the town centre to attract shoppers.Modus has spoken for the first time about their plans which will include the long-awaited news about developing the outdated Bell Street car park.

Modus is working with Dudley Council to extend The Crown Centre and have been in talks for six months with Sainsbury's about leasing the former Morrisons supermarket.

However Tesco has recently announced it intends to take over the lease despite still pursuing permission to build another store nearby.

Councillor Malcolm Knowles, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "Before the lease can be transferred to Tesco it requires the consent of Dudley Council.

"The council has asked Tesco for clarification of their intentions with regards to trading from the Crown Centre before deciding whether or not to grant consent."

News of the revamp was today welcomed by traders.

Bell Street car park is having £130,000 of essential maintenance work carried out over the next few weeks.

Exclusive by Rebecca Jones