£200m retail bid yet to attract big names

Developers behind the £200 million transformation of West Bromwich are still yet to sign up any major retailers to take up shop space.

But scheme bosses insist firm expressions of interest are in place and are confident deals will be signed as soon as planning permission is granted in the autumn. Construction work on the Tesco-led scheme would start in the spring.

The move would depend on the council's planning committee approving the application for the first phase of the 37-acre development, which it is expected to do.

The first phase includes a Tesco Extra supermarket and shops earmarked to be open by October 2011, with leisure facilities including a long-awaited cinema due by spring 2012.

Reports to the council by Tesco's commercial agent Savills have already revealed a wish-list of prime retailers being targeted, with names such as Marks & Spencer, Primark, Next and HMV.

But Tesco spokesman Tony Fletcher said they were still not in a position to reveal which stores would definitely be in place as none had formally signed up yet.

"We are getting good expressions of interest in the first stage and when people start to the see the construction and the quality more will come on board," he said.

"A lot of people don't like to sign contracts until they see planning permission is granted."

Bosses are also no closer to signing up a major department store which will be the "anchor" for the second phase of development, which will not start until there is sufficient interest. The economic climate is said to be putting off retailers.

"It is proving difficult as people still aren't committing to new department stores," Mr Fletcher added.