Demolition begins for Walsall town square project

Works has begun to knock down four shops in Walsall, part of a £40m ‘gateway’ scheme to regenerate the area around the town’s rail and bus stations.

The first phase of the project, which included the modernisation of the Saddlers Centre shopping arcade connecting rail passengers with Park Street, was signed off last year.

Now, several buildings around Butlers Passage are due to be demolished to create a new ‘plaza’ space between the town’s main transport hubs – including a locally listed shop building which dates back to the 1920’s.

The commencement or works on the scheme comes after the authority granted itself planning permission to demolish 38-46 Park Street and 1-4 Butlers Passage in April last year.

The government granted the scheme £11.4m from its Future High Street Fund in 2021.

Kier have started demolition work on four shops on Park Street. Credit: Walsall Council

Walsall Council says the new public square will improve pedestrian links and create a ‘focal point’ for the town centre, as part of a wider town centre masterplan worked up with Arcadis, which also includes a 44,000 sq ft adult learning campus in a former Marks & Spencer building.

“It’s fantastic to see demolition now underway as another key milestone in the Connected Gateway scheme,” said Cllr Nicky Barker, deputy leader of Walsall Council.

“While regeneration of this scale can inevitably bring some temporary disruption, every stage of the project is moving us closer to a more attractive, better connected town centre.

“Once complete, these improvements will help create a town centre that people can be proud of and one that supports businesses, encourages investment and benefits everyone who lives, works and visits Walsall.”

Kier Construction, who have been appointed demolition contractors for the scheme, moved onto site to begin work last week.

The town centre Connected Gateway scheme is part of a £1.5bn regeneration scheme for Walsall, set to be delivered by 2040, which includes a number of linked projects across the borough.