Closure looming for Summer Row shops

But for more than 60 shops and businesses in one corner of Wolverhampton, the future is looking uncertain as they wait to hear the outcome of compulsory purchase orders (CPO) which could see their firms bulldozed to make way for the biggest retail development ever in the city.

Although the £265 million Summer Row complex has been welcomed by much of the community who want to see their city compete with the likes of Birmingham and Manchester in the shopping stakes, the huge development comes at a hefty price.

In less than five years time the area around Cleveland Street, Victoria Street, Worcester Street and Bell Street will be transformed beyond all recognition with a shopping centre that boasts such top retailers as Debenhams, H&M and Zara.

Shop owners in those areas have two weeks left to object to the CPO, but with so much support behind the multi-million pound project, the future is not looking bright.

The Express & Star spoke to some of the businesses affected about their expectations if the controversial development forged ahead.

The census shows the Plough and Harrow pub in Worcester Street was serving customers as early as 1856. Today it is run by 34-year-old Sukwinder Shihmar, who does not want the thriving watering hole he has built up over the last 12 years to close.

He said: "I can see that the new shopping centre is good thing for creating hundreds of jobs and investment to the city but I am very happy here and so are my staff. The building has been here for hundreds of years and it should not be knocked down to make way for these new shops as it has been a treasured part of Wolverhampton. Most people are not happy about it at all."

Ali Hassan, 65, has been running AH Stores in Cleveland Street for more than 20 years. He said: "It was over three years now when I first heard what was planned for this area.

"Me and my wife have been working her since the 1980s and we are happy here. We understand how important this development is to Wolverhampton, but we are keen to know what is going on so we can make plans for the future."

Electrical engineers JT Jarvis & Son was set up by Jim Jarvis 51 years ago. Today he is 84 and still works alongside his son John. John, 51, said they hoped to relocate the business if the plans went ahead. "We've been here for a long time and have no plans to close," he revealed.

"We realise that a small firm like us is not going to stand in the way of £265 million of investment for Wolverhampton." We are told what is planned for the area but they don't tell us when and that is what we really need to know."

Ala Miah runs the hugely successful balti house Spice Avenue in Cleveland Street and is staunchly against Summer Row. He said: "At the end of the day, no one wants to see the business they have spent a great deal of money on disappear. This is my livelihood and we have built up a really successful business here with many loyal customers."

Councillor Peter Bilson, one of the city's regeneration chiefs, believes Summer Row will bring untold fortune to Wolverhampton, providing jobs for hundreds and possibly thousands.

He said the future of the businesses hit by the CPO were of the utmost importance, and added: "We have made it clear that we are going to have a whole series of surgeries into the autumn in advance of the inquiry to give people chance to talk to us and discuss what solutions they are looking for. We are making this opportunity available right up until the inquiry".

Mary Johnston, spokeswoman for Belfast-based AM development, insisted that consultation had been going on with those affected since 2004.

She added: "Both the council and Multi will strive to help relocate those businesses affected by the CPO."