Plans for the redevelopment of Wolverhampton’s Mander Centre have been recommended for approval. Should the £30 million project go ahead, it will see a large portion of the centre which was previously occupied by TJ Hughes demolished. In its place, a 93,000 sq ft Debenhams department store would be constructed, which would presumably act as the anchor store in the centre.
In addition, retail units on the ground floor would be reconfigured, providing tenants with a more flexible store layout and an increase in commercial space. A further ten units would be added in various locations throughout the centre, and the flexibility of these placements would allow stores to continue to trade during the redevelopment process.
Retail asset manager at Mander Centre owner Delancey, Steve Burgin, was pleased to hear that the council is now pushing for planning approval to be granted.
He says; “We are very keen to get the permission – we think it will be great for the city and this gives us more certainty in the development.
“The development will regenerate the Mander Centre and put Wolverhampton city centre back on the retail map and hopefully spur on new retailers to join them.
“You need to put out the line to catch the mackerel and Debenhams is the bait.”
Unfortunately, the plans have not been without opposition, as local retailers are concerned the impact the closures of entrances on neighbouring Bell Street and St John’s Street will have upon their footfall levels. In addition, the expansion would see 30 of the 500 car parking spaces available at the Mander Centre removed, which could potentially cause congestion issues within the city centre.
However, planning officer Andy Carter does not believe the redevelopment would have a negative impact upon retailers in surrounding streets.
In his report, he says; “The proposals would enhance the retail offer within the city centre, improving the vitality and viability of the shopping quarter.
“The proposals would increase footfall both inside the Mander Centre and on surrounding streets – internal changes to the lower mall area of the shopping centre would support the attraction of new national retailers to the city centre.
“These significant benefits outweigh the relatively minor harm caused to the retail viability of units within the St John’s Arcade and Bell Street areas.”
With the Mander Centre currently on the market with a price tag of £50 million, any potential buyer would certainly be stepping into a challenging project should planning approval be granted. However, the works could see the Mander Centre transformed into one of the area’s most profitable retail complexes – an investment, then, could be a gamble which stands to pay off big in future.
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