Wolverhampton Next to double in size in St Johns Retail Park revamp

The retail giant has lodged plans to move out of its existing unit at the park just outside Wolverhampton city centre, and take over the empty former PC World and Pets at Home units.

It will also stamp its name on the landmark clock tower, which overlooks the busy Ring Road St Johns.

And it will turn the 1980s-built building into a modern, glass-fronted shop.

If the plans, submitted by developers DTZ Investments Ltd, are approved, Pets at Home would move into the current Next site at the park.

Meanwhile Next would knock through the two units to create a new mezzanine floor level to its new 3,985sq ft store.

New entrances, escalators and two new lifts will also be created as part of the plans.

The existing cladding and brickwork will be removed and more windows will be installed both on the side of the A459 Birmingham Road and the side facing the car park.

The whole retail park will also be redecorated in more ‘contemporary colouring’ as part of the modernisation expected to cost more than £1 million.

It is the latest investment in the Black Country by Next which is already working on transforming the former Sainsbury’s superstore at Merry Hill into one of the biggest Next stores in the UK measuring 75,680 sq ft.

Ninder Johal, who is a board member at the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, welcomed the new plans.

He said: “This is the latest bit of good news for Wolverhampton where there is massive regeneration occurring.

“We have seen plans to rejuvenate the Civic Halls, we have seen an upsurge in office space at the i9 and i10 and we have seen the exciting investment in the University.

“Also in terms of shopping in the city there is the improvement works at the Mander Centre.

“So this now at St. Johns Retail Park is another piece of good news that tells us Wolverhampton is the place to invest and the place to shop for a great visitor experience.”

Tory councillor Udey Singh, who represents Tettenhall Regis, also welcomed the plans.

He said: “We are desperate to see investment in the city and any external investment put into here to improve the outlook of the city centre and the surrounding areas I welcome.”

The application said: “The proposed development whereby NEXT will be taking possession of the two units has meant that there is an opportunity to freshen up the overall appearance of the building.

“The existing building is somewhat dated and in need of a refresh, this has been a key factor in influencing the design proposals during the design development. The challenge has been to retain the important features whilst modernising the building at the same time.

“St Johns Retail Park was first developed in the 1980s in a style typical of the period; there are four main buildings subdivided into smaller units occupied by a mixture of fashion; bulky goods and electrical retailers.

“The proposed development relates to two existing units within an existing building on the North Eastern corner of St John’s Retail Park.

“The existing units in question have previously been occupied by PC World who are now trading from the Curry’s unit, while Pets at Home will relocate to the former NEXT unit when it becomes vacant.

The relocation of these has facilitated the refurbishment of these Units C1 & C2 which are to be occupied by the home & fashion retailer Next.

“As well as the general external refurbishments proposed as part of this application it is also proposed to form a new mezzanine floor over the floor area of both units C1 & C2.”

Next also has stores at the Bentley Bridge Retail Park and on Dudley Street in the city centre.

The new-look store at the St Johns Retail Park will stock both clothes and the Next home range and all existing staff are expected to move over.

Other businesses on the park include Maplin and Hughes electrical superstore and SCS.