It has been revealed that Walsall may lose its Old Square Shopping Centre just days after it was awarded up to £25m as part of the Government’s Town Fund.
The shopping centre, which includes a Debenhams, may be bulldozed to make room for more housing, putting many local jobs at risk.
However, Officials at the West Midlands Combined Authority see increasing housing as a crucial step in regenerating the town centre.
The town centre has lost 16 shops (11 opening, 27 closings) this year, including Marks and Spencer which had been open in the town for 84 years. Debenhams, which could be bulldozed in the plans, has recently announced it has entered administration so it could be soon to shut regardless.
Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said in a recent article by the Express and Star, that the high street was ‘doomed.’ He emphasised that significant changes needed to be made to bring life back to the town centre.
The upcoming development is part of a masterplan for Walsall, which also includes revamping the train station and Park Street area.
Mike Bird said it is too early to say what will happen to Debenhams and the other shops in the Old Square Shopping Centre as the location is just one of several being considered.
He said: “Old Square is one of the options we are looking at in relation to the regeneration of the town centre, along with the top end of the town and Saddlers Quays, we’re looking to bring residential back into the town.
“There is no doubt retail is shrinking, and we have got to look at other ways of bringing in footfall. There are other parts of the town we are looking at, including the Guildhall. These are historic buildings which need some TLC.”
With the increased number of housing in the area, the local economy will be boosted, and there will be more people to spend money in the local shops.
In his “12-point plan to revitalise the high street” published earlier this year, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “Providing homes within walking distance of workplaces gives people more cash and free time to spend it.”
He talks about applying the lessons of major cities, repurposing surplus business premises as housing.
A spokesperson for the West Midlands Combined Authority said: “The St Matthews Quarter in Walsall is one of five town centres taking part in a pioneering project to transform local high streets.
“We are looking at a number of options in Walsall including Old Square, but it is still very early days in terms of what that might entail. Potential schemes are also being assessed in Bilston, Dudley, Bordesley Green and West Bromwich (East).”
By Georgia Horsell