More jobs a welcome boost

More than 30 new jobs will be created in Kidderminster when two sandwich shops open. The town centre was hit hard when a number of stores closed.

Even the long-serving Keep In Touch Card shop shut after 20 years of trade.

Staff blamed the Weaver's Wharf complex for taking away much of their custom.

It followed a long line of shops closing, such as Marks and Spencer, Littlewoods, Walmsleys and Halfords.

But the recent arrival of new owners at the Rowland Hill Shopping Centre and two new Subway fast food outlets has brought new hope to the town.

Business partners Andrew Paterson and Carl Sanders from Solihull have snapped up the old Feminine clothing store in High Street and a unit at the new Comberton Heights complex to open up their Subway franchises.

Mr Paterson said: "We thought Kidderminster was a perfect location because there was not much choice for food and because it's an up and coming town."

The Rowland Hill Shopping Centre has seen the opening of Fopp Records, a new jewellery shop and a smoothie bar recently.

Kidderminster Town Centre Partnership chairman Peter Picken said: "We're clearly starting to turn the corner."