'This is exactly the kind of regeneration Wolverhampton and our local high streets need' - Mayor on plan to turn former M&S store into flats
The Mayor of the West Midlands has given his thumbs up to plans to convert the former M&S building in Wolverhampton into 71 apartments.
Planning permission to transform the former Marks & Spencer building on Dudley Street in the heart of Wolverhampton into contemporary city living apartments and retail units was given the go-ahead by council planners on Monday January 5.
Nottingham-based ALB Group and Birmingham-based Prosperity Group are working together on the regeneration project and promised the plan, which will involve keeping a retail element on the ground floor, will ensure the landmark building has a "meaningful future".
The site, which had been occupied by Marks & Spencer for nearly 100 years prior to the closure of the department store on September 27, will now be transformed into modern apartments on the upper floors with the ground floor reconfigured into three high-quality retail units ranging from 1,200 ft² up to 7,000 ft² which it is hoped will attract a mix of independent and national occupiers.
Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker welcomed the plan, saying: "This is exactly the kind of regeneration Wolverhampton, and our local high streets, need. It reinvigorates a landmark building while meeting a real housing gap and putting more people back into the heart of the city.
“More homes in the town centre means more footfall for local businesses, more life on the high street and a stronger city centre economy.
“I’m impressed by these plans and look forward to seeing the project develop. This is how we renew our town centres in a way that works for local people.”
