£13m shops plan for former factory site

A landmark factory site on a major gateway to Wolverhampton will be transformed into a £13 million shopping development, creating up to 130 jobs, under plans unveiled today.

Four retail units from 7,500sq ft to 10,000sq ft will be built to transform the old Metal Castings Ltd site near to Waitrose off Penn Road.

Developers said they hoped work could start later this year if the proposals are approved.

They have been submitted to Wolverhampton City Council by Cranford Developments.

They have been unveiled two years after separate plans to transform the site with a leisure complex, including a 120-bedroom hotel development, were withdrawn.

Early discussions with potential tenants for the new development are already under way.

Cranford planning director Matt Parry said that the stores were expected to sell bulky items such as furniture or electricals to "complement rather than compete with" city centre shops.

"The investment in the city will be around £13m and will create 60 to 80 full- and part-time jobs," Mr Parry said.

"On top of that during construction there will be up to 50 jobs.

"We are delighted to be involved, hopefully it might act as a bit of a catalyst to get other things moving forward."

An application for two 7,500sq ft stores and two 10,000sq ft shops has been submitted to Wolverhampton City Council. Work could start in six months if the proposals are approved with the stores due to open late next year.

Councillor Peter Bilson, deputy council leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said the scheme would be a shot in the arm for the city.

"All in all this is a very welcome scheme."