The second phase of the redevelopment of Longbridge has been approved. The latest scheme involving St Modwen’s 468 acre site, the former home of MG Rover, will see the construction of a 150,000 sq ft Marks & Spencer store along with 45,000 sq ft of additional retail space. There will also be a combination of surface and multi-storey car parks.
In total, St Modwen expects around 500 jobs to be created as a result of the scheme, both during the construction period and upon completion. This, according to St Modwen chief executive Bill Oliver, will go a long way towards meeting the developer’s targets for regenerating the local labour market.
He says; “The development of the 150,000 sq ft Marks & Spencer store, the anchor of the second phase of the new town centre at Longbridge, represents a significant milestone at this major regeneration project and is a key part of our overall aim to create business and employment opportunities in the area.”
Following the planning committee’s approval of a resolution to grant planning permission for the second phase of the scheme, work is expected to begin on the site this autumn. This will allow the completion date to fall sometime in late autumn next year, meaning the new Marks & Spencer store can be open for business in time for the busy Christmas trading period in 2015.
Although the introduction of Marks & Spencer to the development marks an important stage in the former MG Rover site, it is in fact only a small step in the overall regeneration programme St Modwen has laid out for Longbridge. In total, the scheme should take around 15 years to complete in full and will come in at a cost of £1 billion overall.
Leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore, says; “It is extremely encouraging for Longbridge to see this substantial level of investment from a major national retailer.
“This significant commitment by Marks & Spencer is a reflection of the ever increasing confidence being generated by Longbridge and in south west Birmingham and recognition of the impressive impact St Modwen has made in the regeneration of this important brownfield site.”
