Ambitious new plan to 'reinvent' Walsall's centre as a place 'people are proud to live, work and spend time'
Ambitious plans to transform Walsall town centre have been unveiled by council leaders.
Walsall Council showcased a CGI fly-through look at how it hopes the town will look in the future at a media briefing on Wednesday (July 30), ahead of a presentation by council leader Mike Bird at a meeting of the full council.
The £40 million Town Centre Connected Gateway project, which is being part funded by the Future High Streets Fund and partly by the council, is already under way, with construction set to be completed on the downstairs of the Saddlers Centre in the autumn.
Major works to transform the town centre by creating a clearer link between the town’s rail and bus stations and improve the surrounding area to make the town centre more appealing will then start in early 2026, with contractor Kier on board to deliver the work.
Councillor Bird said the CGI fly-through video of the plan to revamp the Saddlers Centre shows "we've got a good story to tell even though some people don't want to hear it".
He said internet shopping has changed high streets and the way companies do business forever, adding: "What we've got to do is reinvent our town centres. To do that we have to bring footfall into the town centres.
"You have to have a reason to go into the town centre. You look at other town centres and they've got a catalyst such as Solihull which has the Apple store and John Lewis; they attract big footfall, we haven't got that."
The programme of works, however, aims to reinvent Walsall town centre and how people engage with the town. The regeneration project also aims to make the town centre feel a safe place to visit and stop.
Councillor Bird added: “The transformation of Walsall town centre is an important part of our £1.5 billion programme of borough-wide regeneration.
“The transformative work that will take place across the town centre over the coming years will build on that success to deliver a thriving environment where people are proud to live, work and spend time.”
The majority of the work in the town centre is due to start at the beginning of 2026, when Park Street will be opened up to create a clear sightline from the railway station entrance through to the bus station.
More greenery will be planted, walkways will be resurfaced and the Saddlers Centre will be refurbished into a light, modern and welcoming space. Public realm improvements will also include a water feature in the new Gallery Square to make it a destination for shoppers and visitors to Walsall to stop and enjoy a break.
Meanwhile, Walsall College plans to take on the former Marks and Spencer’s unit to bring a brand-new adult learning facility into the town centre.
The council is also working with the Canal & River Trust to improve the canal basin to encourage boaters and make better use of the waterfront area in a project funded by the Towns Fund.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council, said: “We’re working with our partners and the community to build a better future for Walsall town centre where people feel safe, happy and healthy and where there are ample opportunities to live, work and spend time.
"There will be some incredible changes. It's a really ambitious project to really make Walsall punch above its weight in many ways."
A new youth hub which opened last month in the Saddlers Centre has already been attracting young people into the town, council bosses said, and a second Walsall MakerFest has been lined up for Saturday, September 13, to help bring the community together.
More information about the work taking place across Walsall town centre and the wider borough can be found on invest.walsall.gov.uk
