Foundations laid for £75m offices

The foundations are being laid for a new £75million office scheme in West Bromwich.

Builders began digging the footings for the five-storey office block for BT Liberata yesterday on All Saints Way.

Workers have also begun ground breaking and piling as part of the first stage of one of the town's biggest building projects in 30 years.

About 450 workers are building the structure and a further 450 staff will be based there once the block is complete.

The site will include a new home for West Bromwich Building Society, which is re-locating from its iconic High Street base.

Birmingham-based developer Stoford has commissioned Bowmer & Kirkland to carry out the building work for the scheme.

Jon Andrews, director at Stoford, said: "It's an exciting first step in the development of this high profile and important scheme for West Bromwich.

"The construction company have started on site and they are digging the footings and they're also doing the ground breaking and piling works.

"They're laying the foundations for this fantastic new facility."

The BT building will include a central atrium looking out onto a new public square.

Meanwhile, final details are being put together for the planning application for the separate office block next door that will be home to West Bromwich Building Society.

The society plans to shift its 450 head office staff to the new All Saints development by early 2012.

The firm is expected to take 70,000 sq ft of the 270,000 sq ft site, at the junction of the A41 Expressway and Cronehills Linkway.

It is hoped this application will be submitted before Christmas.