B&M signs up for town centre plan
ABIG B&M store is set to be built in Skelmersdale town centre.
St Modwen, the developer behind the Skelmersdale Town Centre project, has revealed plans for B&M to be part of its £20m regeneration scheme.
The 20,000sq ft store, in the heart of the development, will create 50 jobs.
B&M is a budget retailer which offers “big brands at big savings”.
This news comes after last month’s announcement confirming plans for budget supermarket chain Lidl to also occupy a 20,800sq ft unit.
St Modwen is working in partnership with West Lancashire Borough Council and Homes England to build the extension to the town centre.
The project aims to incorporate a variety of leisure, retail and public spaces, which will bring together essential components for the transformation of Skelmersdale.
St Modwen first made clear its intentions to begin construction work in the town in 2007 and in 2012 outline plans were submitted for a regeneration of the town centre.
The company became embroiled in a legal battle with Skelmersdale Limited Partnership, which owns the Concourse centre, but the High Court ruled in St Modwen’s favour in December 2016.
Under the proposals, a new high street will link the existing town centre to West Lancashire College, environmental improvements will be made to the Tawd Valley at the heart of the scheme, and a new night-time economy will be introduced with 100,000sq ft of retail and leisure, including a cinema operated by Reel.
Paul Batho, development director for St. Modwen, said: “Securing B&M alongside Lidl is a further major boost for the future development of Skelmersdale town centre.
“The commitment made by two of the UK’s leading retailers to come to Skelmersdale is a huge boost of confidence for the town and the scheme and we look forward to delivering the extension to the town centre alongside our partners.”
A B&M spokesperson added: “We’re feeling really positive about the creation of more jobs for local people and we hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store when we open.
The news has been welcomed by West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper, but she has expressed concerns that a start date for work to begin still hasn’t been announced.
The MP said: “I welcome this further promising news that B&M are now set to be part of Skelmersdale town centre, coming as it does on the back of the Lidl announcement, but what Skelmersdale needs more than anything right now is a date when we can expect work to begin on developing the new Skelmersdale town centre.
“Residents will remain sceptical about any announcements until they see diggers on site, and the long-held dream actually becoming a reality.”