Sporting chance for 65 new jobs near M6
A major sports store is set to open close to the M6 in the Black Country, creating dozens of jobs.
A major sports store is set to open close to the M6 in the Black Country, creating dozens of jobs.
A planning application has been submitted by French company Decathlon to Sandwell Council to create a store on the Gallagher Retail Park, in Axletree Way, Wednesbury.
If approved, the new sporting goods store would create jobs for 65 people. Decathlon bosses want to transform a 50,000 sq ft unit just off Junction 9 of the M6 which had been earmarked for industrial use, but has been empty for nearly a decade.
The store would sell bulky goods and sports, fitness and leisure goods and will have 260 parking spaces.
Luke Fillingham, expansion manager for Decathlon, said: "Wednesbury is a very attractive destination for the local community. There is a wide-ranging offer, but we feel that we have got something to add.
"Our sports offer is unique in the UK market and we feel that that particular location is right for us.
"This is a building of significant size which has remained vacant for a substantial period of time and if we could come along and bring that space into use we think that would be fantastic for us and the local community."
The store already has a branch at Merry Hill Shopping Centre, at Brierley Hill.
An open day was held in August inviting residents to inspect the plans.
The site has become a magnet for graffiti and Mr Fillingham said the plans had been welcomed by residents.
"The building has been vacant for some time. They want to see some new jobs and opportunities and the building brought into use because at the moment local people think it is an eyesore. It has attracted crime and it has been abused and they want it bringing back up to standard," he said.
Wednesbury North ward's Councillor Elaine Costigan said: "The feedback I'm getting is that people can't wait for a decent sports shop to come to Sandwell.
"It will be great. That unit has been empty ever since it has been there, so it is a bonus for the area."
Fellow-ward representative Councillor Bill Archer said: "As far as I'm concerned anything that creates new jobs has got to be absolutely welcomed.
"It has been causing problems since it has been empty and this news of a planning application is wonderful."
The planning application asks Sandwell Council to approve a change of use for the Gallagher Retail Park site from industrial to retail.
