Kidderminster is on the long road to recovery thanks to a clutch of high profile re-development schemes, according to commercial property specialists Bruton Knowles.
Midlands based Rupert Detheridge said Amtek International’s recent decision to invest £5million to create a new manufacturing plant on the former Lawrence’s Recycling Site on the A451 between Kidderminster and Stourport was the latest in a series of headline deals aimed at restoring the town’s fortunes.
The firm, which will manufacture aluminium automotive components, was attracted to the location by the South Kidderminster Enterprise Park Local Development Order – which permits the development of industrial space without the need for planning permission. This will initially create 100 jobs rising to hopefully 500 jobs.
Rupert said: “The Local Development Order was a shrewd move by the council and looks like it’s already paying off. This is a prime example of Wyre Forest District Council’s determination to stimulate regeneration encompassed within their ReWyre Initiative.
“The ReWyre Initiative has helped foster regeneration within Kidderminster providing the planning bedrock to kickstart regeneration and attract much-needed government funding. Such a focus upon regeneration is crucial for Kidderminster and specifically the town centre, which continues to feel the effects of the downturn.”
Rupert has identified a number of new schemes designed to restore Kidderminster’s fortunes. Taken together, he said these schemes would begin to unpick the damage caused by the worst downturn on record.
The Weavers Wharf retail scheme has been a real success story since 2006. This investment has strengthened the town’s appeal as a retail destination.
Key developments include the redevelopment of Slingfields Mill and letting to Debenhams (2009) and Premier Inn (2012). In 2012 Kidderminster Academy moved in to the refurbished Piano Building.
In early 2013 Henderson purchased the Matalan store on Park Lane, providing future expansion scheme space over the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.
Most significantly of all, in April 2014 Henderson achieved planning consent for the 40,000 sq ft expansion of Weavers Wharf with a retail anchor store and the demolition of Crown House. The demolition of the dilapidated Crown House will remove a prominent eyesore – once voted UK’s fourth worst building – and will transform the Bull Ring area.
Investment has not been limited to Weavers Wharf. A recent planning application for the redevelopment of the former Brintons Headquarters Building on Exchange Street will deliver new retail and leisure space.
The council has also secured £2m to improve the town centre public realm, with works scheduled to take place in Exchange Street, Vicar Street and the High Street. This includes a new public square outside the Town Hall.
And the regeneration of Kidderminster has not been limited to the Town Centre.
The Churchfields area to the north of the centre, dominated by secondary commercial space has benefited from the initial phases of regeneration as Bellway and Barratt Homes redevelop the former Georgian Carpet factory site.
Rupert said: “Churchfields is a key regeneration area for WFDC and has been earmarked for housing in the supplementary planning document for the area. Enhancement of the existing highways in the Churchfields area will be key to further development in this area.
The redevelopment of nearby Grassmere Close has recently completed, with the Kier Partnership replacing dated maisonettes with 92 new homes on behalf of the Community Housing Group.
Elsewhere in Kidderminster there is evidence of a revived residential development market with schemes for example commencing in the Sutton Park Road area.
The redevelopment of the former British Sugar site (Silverwoods) to the south of the town centre by the St Francis Group is arguably one of the largest regeneration schemes underway in the West Midlands.
Planning permission was granted in 2012 for the mixed-use first phase of this 74 acre site, fronting the Stourport Road (A451), with Bovis and Taylor Wimpey now selling houses, transforming the image of this extensive land holding.
Funding has been secured by the Council for the Hoo Brook Link Road which will both enable the development of the second phase of Silverwoods to progress and bolster both the Worcester Road and Stourport Road Employment Corridors.