Mander Centre demolition clearing the way for huge new Debenhams
It might not look like much now - but this will soon be home to Wolverhampton's 90,000 sq ft Debenhams.
The sorry-looking building was previously occupied by TJ Hughes at the Mander Centre.
Huge piles of rubble are strewn across the floor, wiring hangs from the ceiling and an escalator lies unused.
It is currently being flattened so work can begin on the huge anchor store, set to be completed in October 2017.
Elsewhere in the Mander Centre the first of several structural supports have been installed in preparation for new link bridges on the mall.
Bosses say this will create a 'modern' look and allow a more 'seamless' journey throughout the centre.
The £35 million scheme is completely revamping the city centre site and will create up to 150 new local jobs.
The project includes building new customer lifts and a new entrance from the roof level of the centre's car park.
New escalators are being installed in the atrium with others being decommissioned and filled-in. Alongside Debenhams will be 10 new shop units.
The Mander Centre was built in 1968 and extensively refurbished in 1987 and 2003.
Robert Gough, the shopping centre's new commercial retail manager and a former senior boss at Debenhams, says the money invested in the project will mean that Wolverhampton will be able to compete with major retail centres across the UK.
Work on the latest revamp - one of the most significant private sector investments in the City over the last 20 years - began in January.
And in March it was announced a new food court will open in the neighbouring Wulfrun Centre, creating around 40 jobs.
The food court will be spread over two floors and bring Burger King, Rooster Chicken and El Taco Loco to the eating area – bringing the number of food outlets in the centre to seven.
