Big names bring West Bromwich jobs boost
A giant sports retailer and a Chinese buffet restaurant chain will open in West Bromwich's £200 million New Square development, bringing a major boost to the town and creating dozens of jobs.
Sports Direct and Real China have announced they are taking on units in the scheme, which is due to open this summer.
The new signings were today described as 'fantastic news' for the shopping and leisure development and a boost for the town following a series of high street shop closures.
Real China, which has branches across the UK, is taking a unit in the new piazza area opposite The Public.
It will join other food retailers, including Nando's, Prezzo, Harvester and Costa. National sports chain Sports Direct will take a unit inside.
It joins other clothing stores such as Primark, Next, Outfit and JD Sports. Bank, Arcadia, and Phones4U will also open.
Jonathan Simpson, corporate affairs manager at Tesco, which is behind the development, said: "The mix of retailers we have signed up for New Square is fantastic news for local shoppers.
"Real China adds yet another element to the great range of restaurants we have in the centre."
Welcoming the news today, Sandwell Chamber of Commerce president Ninder Johal, said: "This is yet another piece of good news for an area benefiting from millions of pounds worth of regeneration.
"With the recent completion of the A41 work, and the decision of West Bromwich Building Society to keep its headquarters in West Bromwich, it is more proof that Sandwell has a bright future."
It was announced in February that a quarter of shops in West Bromwich are empty.