Supermarket giant Tesco has unveiled plans to transform Wolverhampton’s Royal Hospital site into a 139,800 sq ft superstore.
Tesco, which owns the site, proposes a retail-led restoration that will re-use the listed main hospital building. The plans comprise a 90,000 sq ft store with a glazed atrium, café, offices, store entrance lobby and non-food retailing. It will also provide a public square and pedestrian access to the city centre shopping quarter.
Tesco has begun discussions with the council, and intends to lodge an application in April 2011. It is envisaged that, subject to planning, the store could open by Christmas 2012.
The council approved plans in 2007 for a mixed-use scheme across the whole Royal Hospital/Bus Depot site, comprising a primary care centre and offices in the listed main hospital building, flats, offices and small shops.
Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust subsequently pulled out of occupying the converted listed building for use as a primary care centre and offices.
Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: “The priority has been to find an alternative use for restoring the building, and a superstore-led, mixed-use scheme provides the most viable option for securing the planning, heritage and regeneration benefits for the Royal Hospital site and wider All Saints area. This proposal also responds to the recent independent core strategy recommendations for the Black Country.”
annabel.dixon@estatesgazette.com
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