Landmark is set to go
One of Kidderminster's oldest buildings is set to be flattened and rebuilt as a £650,000 flagship shopping and flats complex, it emerged today.
The former Russells Electrical, in Coventry Street, has stood empty for almost five years and is in what many traders say is the neglected part of town since Weavers Wharf opened in 2004.
The move should be a boost to the area, which has seen several retail casualties in the last few weeks alone, including Daisy Chain Accessories and Keep in Touch gifts, which will soon shut down after 15 years.
The owners of the former electrical store have struggled to get any interest in it as just a retail outlet and have decided to include flats to make it more of an attractive business opportunity.
Owners Spurville Ltd have submitted plans to construct a three-storey building, in keeping with the area, with shops on the ground floor, three apartments on the first floor and two apartments on the second floor.
Trevor Brealey, of architects Brealey Associates said: "People are crying out for affordable homes in the town centre and we think including flats in the scheme will help to stack it up financially." He said the building was old but it was not commercially viable to try and retain it as it was in a poor condition.
Trader John Pullara, of Bells Electrical, said: "It will be good to see something happening there as it is a bit shabby. It will help bring people back here to shop."
Catherine Rose, the 32-year-old director of Daisy Chain Accessories Ltd, said she was being forced to close the shop in Coventry Street because there was "no longer any footfall".
"We still find customers who do not know we exist and we have been here for two-and-a-half years."
Now the shop will close at the end of this month and trade online at www.daisychainonline.com
By Rebecca Jones
