Wolverhampton face lift concerns

8.39.33am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 16th Nov 2006

Summer Row - not fit for a 21st century city

Wolverhampton City Council has exercised its powers of compulsory purchase to assemble a huge site between Cleveland Street, Bell Street, Temple Street, Snow Hill, Victoria Street, Worcester Street and St. John's Street for a ?265 million regeneration scheme, to be known as Summer Row. Park Ward candidate, Robin Lawrence said "It has long been Liberal Democrat policy to oppose car-dependent out-of-town retail parks so we welcome redeveloping the City centre. The planned developments should encourage Wolverhampton shoppers to continue to use the city centre rather than travelling further afield."

The development is planned to include retail and leisure space, 140 apartments and basement parking for around 800 cars. It is intended that the retail and leisure element will include a department store, Debenhams, together with a mixture of retail units of various sizes, and a selection of cafes, bars, restaurants and other leisure uses.

However, the proposed Summer Row area is currently home to a large number of small businesses and the new site will not be ready before 2010. They will now be forced to find new premises for the next few years and there is no guarantee that they will be able to afford to return when the site is completed.

Robin Lawrence met Lib Dem Small Business Spokesperson Lorely Burt MP and raised the issue of Summer Row

Wolverhampton Liberal Democrats have raised concerns over the plight of independent traders and small business owners in the area. Lib Dems fear that the interests of national chain stores may be put before the needs of local businesses and their loyal customers.

Park Ward candidate Robin Lawrence recently met with the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Small Business Spokesperson Lorely Burt MP. Robin said "I raised the issue of the Summer Row development with Mrs. Burt, she was concerned to hear about this and has asked to be kept informed of developments and will take the issue up if need be".