Major scheme to regenerate West Bromwich town centre underway despite Covid impact

With lockdown restrictions continuing to hit the region’s high streets, there was brighter news for West Bromwich today as work got underway on a major town centre regeneration scheme.Towns across the West Midlands, many of which were already struggling from changing shopping habits before the pandemic, have seen footfall drop by more than 30% compared to last year while store closures nationwide are at a record high.Yet despite the unprecedented crisis, an important investment programme agreed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Sandwell Council is pressing ahead, kickstarting plans to revitalise the centre of West Bromwich.Heavy demolition machinery has begun tearing down the 1970’s-built Queen’s Square multi-storey car park in Bull Street to make way for a modern mix of new homes, leisure and retail facilities.The combined authority has worked closely with Sandwell Council, one of 18 partner local authorities in the WMCA, to help make the regeneration scheme possible by providing funding to cover the demolition costs.West Bromwich is one of five town centres across the West Midlands that have been put forward by their local councils for WMCA priority funding for regeneration schemes, reflecting the town’s broader importance to the wider regional economy. The other four town centres are Bordesley Green, Bilston, Dudley and Walsall.Last year the WMCA also set up a Regional Town Centre Taskforce made up of prominent people from the worlds of retail, development, finance, housing, education and Government to work with local councils on moving forward redevelopment plans for town centres.