Waterfront owners share more about plans to upgrade canalside complex in Brierley Hill

The new owners of The Waterfront in Brierley Hill have highlighted plans to upgrade the landmark bridge, add EV chargers and to host more events as they aim to put the canalside complex on the map.

Real estate investors Parcap now own the sprawling 42-and-a-half acre site and say they have big plans for its development.

Alex Hall, senior associate at Parcap, has outlined plans to give the landmark bridge across the canal an upgrade with lights and features as part of maintenance work and to make it "look a little bit nicer".

There are also plans to introduce EV charging bays to give electric car drivers a convenient place to re-charge on site. No locations have been decided on yet but it is hoped they may be located by the marina.

The two remaining vacant food and beverage units at The Waterfront are also expected to be filled shortly and there are plans to host more events at the waterside complex in the not too distant future.

Mr Hall said a recent Digbeth Dining Club event on Friday April 11 went down a treat and it is hoped there will be more similar events throughout the year.

Crowds at the Digbeth Dining Event at The Waterfront, Brierley Hill

He told the Express & Star: "We're going ahead with the Mary Stevens Hospice duck race this year on June 29 and we're hoping to do something for Black Country Day as well. We're looking to mark various events throughout the year."

The Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker and Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles, whose constituency covers Brierley Hill, recently stopped off at the complex to hear about the regeneration plans.

West Midlands' Mayor Richard Parker and Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles, centre, with members of Black Country Radio, right, and the team at Parcap, left.

Mr Hall said: “We were very proud to welcome the Mayor of the West Midlands who offered his fulsome support for what we are doing here. We are absolutely clear that whereas Solihull boats Blythe Valley and Birmingham has Brindley Place so the Black Country has Waterfront.“

"Our plans are to compete on that level and attract businesses from the wider Black Country and Birmingham. We were delighted to have the local MP Cat Eccles with us again and that she chose Waterfront as an example of a success story in her constituency. We look forward to working with both of them and Dudley Council in the coming years.”