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Wolverhampton city centre to see 6,500 new homes in major transformation

Multi-million pound housing projects that will transform Wolverhampton city centre and boost the local economy have been outlined at a special event.

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Councillor Stephen Simkins with Tim Heatley (Capital & Centric), Maggie Grogan (English Cities Fund) and other speakers..

More than 200 delegates attended the City Centre Living showcase at the WV1 Restaurant and Bar at Molineux.

The event outlined how the city centre was being reimagined and how new urban living opportunities were being brought forward by the city council with public and private sector partners that would revitalise the area.

In total, developments to deliver 6,500 new homes were showcased.

They include 1,300 at Brewers Yard, 1,000 at City Centre West, 799 at Canalside South, 391 at St George's, 366 at Horseley Fields, 342 at the Royal Quarter, 181 at Sunbeam and 163 at Steam Mill and Sackworks.

The aim is to make Wolverhampton city centre a great place to live, learn, work and visit.

City council leader Councillor Stephen Simkins said: "Since becoming leader last year it has been amazing to see so many major pieces of work coming to light in the city.

"These are really exciting times for Wolverhampton."

He said it had been vital to get the Civic Halls back onstream - the venues had attracted more than 100,000 visitors since reopening last summer and boosted the local economy by £10 million a year.

He is also excited that a new cinema is opening at the Chubb Buildings and that the Bell Works food, entertainment and events venue project is being delivered later this year.

"It is important that we can accommodate as many people as want to come and visit the city and keep them coming back to visit our city," he added.

The £150m transport interchange in the city centre bringing together buses, trams and trains was playing an important role in this.

Councillor Simkins said investment like the Fortune Brands manufacturing site at the i54 bringing 250 jobs was also vital along with the £20m commitment from the Government for a Green Innovation Corridor in the city.