Travelodge and McDonald's planned after boost for £7.5m project creating 130 jobs in Walsall
Almost £7 million has been put up to make the re-development of gateway land in Walsall a reality – creating 130 jobs.
It means work will now swing into action in February on transforming the site in Littleton Street West with a 60-bed Travelodge and McDonald’s to be built.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has agreed to pay £6.9m of the £7.5m scheme for the derelict land that sits opposite Walsall College.
And developer Cordwell Property Group says it expects the work to be completed by October.
Councillor Izzi Seccombe, WMCA lead member for finance and investment, said: “This scheme will create more than 100 new jobs, a cornerstone of the WMCA drive to create employment and the economic growth that underpins the future prosperity of the region.”
The project, which was initially submitted by Cordwell Property Group, recently received planning permission from Walsall Council.
The WMCA has provided the injection from its Collective Investment Fund – a £70m war chest set up to stimulate jobs, opportunity and growth in the region.
Walsall Council leader Sean Coughlan, who is also a member of the combined authority, said: “We’re delighted that Cordwell has chosen to invest in Walsall town centre.
“The development will make a fantastic addition to the ring road corridor - creating jobs and offering further choice in the town centre for shoppers and visitors alike.
“It is very encouraging that the momentum of regeneration in Walsall is continuing with such investment complementing that already seen in the town centre and waterfront.”
Cordwell director Tom Wilcox described the scheme as an ‘important gateway development’ adding: “We are more than 80 per cent pre-let even before we start on site.”
