Hortons’ Estate Ltd has received planning approval to deliver a new 65,000 sq ft retail park development in Oldbury that will include a new B&M store and a Tim Hortons drive-thru restaurant.
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council has given consent for Hortons’ to transform the site of the former Oldbury Toys ‘R’ Us on Wolverhampton Road, which could create new jobs and attract investment into the town.
The Birchley Island Retail Park development will see the sub-division and substantial external refurbishment of the existing unit to create two new units.
Hortons’ has agreed lease terms with B&M for one of the units on the site, which will be a new 20,000 sq ft store that will include the development of an ancillary external garden centre of 5,000 sq ft. A second unit will comprise a retail facility of 20,750 sq ft, including a new mezzanine floor, and is currently under offer. Hortons’ will also construct an extension to the existing building to create a further 16,000 sq ft unit, which is earmarked for leisure use.
In addition, the Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons has committed to a lease of a new 2,800 sq ft standalone drive-thru restaurant that will be developed on the park.
The scheme includes alterations to the car park and internal vehicle circulation. An existing McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant will remain open on the site as part of the new development.
Work is due to commence on site in spring 2021.
Steve Tommy, head of asset management at Hortons’ said: “We’re delighted that our plans for Birchley Island Retail Park have been approved. Sandwell Council has been very supportive of our vision for the redevelopment of the site and the potential it offers to create jobs for local people. This is a prime location that is clearly attractive to retail and leisure operators, despite challenging market conditions. It is very pleasing to have already signed occupiers of the calibre of B&M and Tim Hortons and to have a third building under offer.”
Birmingham based retail and leisure specialists, Wright Silverwood assisted Hortons’ on letting the proposed units on the park.
The Oldbury Toys ‘R’ Us site has stood empty for more than two years following the collapse of the national toy chain.