Secret talks on £70m shopping centre

Details of the progress of a £70 million pound shopping centre in West Bromwich have been explained to councillors at a secret meeting.

Sandwell Council's finance and resources scrutiny panel called for an update into the plans for Queens Square Shopping Centre, which has been in the planning stages for more than three years.

But because of the 'commercially sensitive' nature of the scheme councillors had to take the hearing into a private session.

Developers Halladale Group today declined to comment on the progress of the scheme because the negotiations were still under way.

Deputy Conservative leader Councillor Ray Nock called for the results of the meeting to be published as soon as possible.

He said: "I do understand the sensitive stage that negotiations are at and the need for confidentiality concerning the finances.

"People in West Bromwich deserve to know what is happening and as soon as possible.

"This scheme is at the heart of the regeneration of the town and residents have waited long enough."

Councillor Martin Prestidge, chairman of the panel, said: "We have to go into private session because there are still commercially sensitive ongoing discussions.

"The scrutiny panel requested an update on the progress of Queens Square because it has been going on for quite some time.

"There is concern about how long this has been planned without work starting.

"This shopping centre is integral to the further regeneration of West Bromwich."

Plans for the new centre would see 23 high street stores and a European-style outdoor shopping area but no details about progress have been revealed.

The shopping centre will be extended as part of the development by Halladale Group Plc, with 24 new quality residential apartments and an 850-space multi-storey car park.

Halladale Group spokesman Paul Dimoldenberg said: "Negotiations are ongoing and we have no comment at this stage."

Sandwell Council owns the freehold of the centre and is planning to invest at least £3m from its capital programme over the next two years.

The redesign is part of a £500m makeover of the town centre.

The scheme will incorporate a new Tesco store which will be made of terracotta and glass.

It was announced at the end of last year that the £200m Tesco development may now have to be built in phases, following delays in signing up major retailers.

The Express & Star revealed that developers have admitted the economic climate is having an effect on getting firm commitments from shops.

Plans for the project are set to be put together in two scaled-down stages.