Argos and Aldi jobs boost

Aldi and Argos are poised to move on to a Black Country shopping park, creating dozens of jobs.

The big-name retailers are to take on units at Broadwalk Retail Park in Walsall as part of a revamp of the site near junction 9 of the M6.

Owners ROM Capital aim to transform the site, which has been plagued by crime and fallen into disrepair.

It is envisaged that Aldi will take a 1,477 square metre unit and will be a key new food retailer for the park.

Argos Extra will take a 1,854 square metre unit and will provide a catalogue retail service to complement the existing ranges offered by Argos in the centre of Walsall.

Other improvements aimed at tempting shoppers will include betters signs, building facades and landscaping and a new security building.

Darren Burney, chief executive of ROM Capital Group, said today: "We're optimistic because we understand how our proposals will tackle the area's historic problems - crime and the lack of shoppers, which a group of flagship stores would generate."

Planning applications have been submitted to allow both Argos and Aldi to occupy the park.

Louise Brooke-Smith, on behalf of co-applicant CSJ Brooke Smith, said: "The proposals are currently subject to assessment by Walsall planning officers but it is hoped that they will be approved by the end of March. Then Bescot will have the draw of a wealth-creating, first-rate retail park befitting of its important location next to the home of Walsall FC."

The move will bring a much-needed jobs boost to the town, which has seen the biggest increase in unemployment in the Black Country.

The latest figures reveal more than 7,300 people were looking for work at the end of November but more jobs have been axed since then, including at Wagon Automotive Ltd in Brownhills, which shed its workforce of around 300 in December.

EXCLUSIVE by Ben Lammas