New look inside Walsall's former Marks and Spencer set to be converted into Adult Learning Centre
Walsall Council has submitted a full planning application to convert the former Marks and Spencer in the town centre.
The application reveals how the Park Street building could look once it becomes the Adult Learning Centre (ALC) for Walsall College.
The council said the centre will host up to 750 students and 60 staff "ensuring the very best student experience".
The project forms part of Walsall Council's ambitious plan to transform the town centre, steering it away from the traditional retail offering.
The M&S site, constructed in the late 1970s, closed in 2018 and has remained vacant ever since.
The council said there "appears little prospect" that the unit will be reoccupied for retail purposes in the near future.
It is located within the Saddlers Centre which is also set to get a makeover as part of the council’s Connected Gateway project.
The proposals for the building state that the ground floor will be transformed into a "modern learning environment" with a reception, nine classrooms, ICT suite, lecture theatre, social study area, a café and interview rooms.
The first floor, which will be accessible using stairs and a lift, will host 19 classrooms, social and quiet learning areas, teaching and study pods, plus staff rooms.
In the application it said: “The role of town centres such as Walsall is in transition.
“The floorspace occupied by traditional town centre activities – such as retail – and financial institutions – such as banks – is in decline, resulting in a significant increase in vacant units and a reduction in footfall within the centres.
“The ALC proposals will bring an empty retail unit located in a prominent position within the primary shopping area back into use.”
