Tesco set to revive centre

Tesco is moving into Stourbridge's ailing Crown Centre, taking over the former Morrisons supermarket which closed at the start of the year.

The news will come as a welcome relief to the shopkeepers left in the centre, which has suffered from a massive loss of trade since losing a big name supermarket.

Tesco chiefs say they are still also ploughing ahead with plans for a big store on the nearby Angel Triangle site.

Morrisons moved out of the Crown Centre in March and many other businesses have followed including Olan Mills, Cafe Chic and a string of stallholders.

Tesco spokesman Mr Julian Walker-Palin said it was not giving up on its fight to build a 65,000 sq ft store in the town. Plans were turned down last month by Dudley Council before it even reached a development control committee meeting.

Bosses have lodged an offical appeal to try to get that decision overturned.

Mr Walker-Palin said: "it is quite unique in our experience for a major retail application which generally complies with both national and local planning policies, and on a site which has been allocated in the council's own Unitary Development Plan for retail development, to be dealt with in this way using delegated powers.

"We carried out widespread consultation on our proposals with the public who in the majority supported our plans.

"We would have expected the planning application and the public's views to have been considered by the elected members of the council."

He added: "In the meantime we will consider our options, including providing a limited presence within the Crown Centre so that the public can be provided with greater local choice without unnecessary delay."

The few traders left in the centre are delighted and say it is one of the best Christmas presents they could have hoped for. Steve Hill, owner of Fone Fashion in the Crown Centre, said: "I think it is absolutely excellent."

By Ben Lammas