200 new jobs to be created by developments

A much-needed jobs boost is coming to Walsall as two major developments begin this year.

A new 120-bed hotel and restaurant to be built at Walsall's Waterfront, which will create 60 jobs, is expected to start in March or April.

The hotel will be run by Leisure firm Whitbread and has been designed by developers Urban Splash.

It will form the first phase of the multi-million pound regeneration of the former factory site.

The development will be followed in the autumn when the first of 130 construction jobs will be filled to begin the demolition of the old Walsall College site in St Paul's Street to make way for a new Tesco superstore.

Ben Reid, chairman of Walsall Regeneration Company, said both developments would bring much-needed jobs, and showed investors still had faith in Walsall's future.

"I think it is true to say that the world changed almost overnight in October and November and we, like other towns, were concerned for the regeneration plans we had developed," he said.

"I was absolutely delighted when Urban Splash said that the first element of the new Waterfront will be starting in the spring and we are pleased that Tesco is keen to be begin working in the autumn."

The Tesco development will begin when Walsall College moves from its present site to a new home on Littleton Street.

Demolition workers will then begin the task of levelling the old college to make way for the building of the new Tesco store.

The construction phase is expected to create 130 jobs, while the completed superstore will employ 450 staff when completed in early 2011.

Tesco corporate affairs manager, Tony Fletcher, said: "We are looking forward to getting started on the store and bringing new jobs to Walsall."