B&M makes way for Asda

Pochin Developments has moved B&M Retail from 238 Grange Road to a refurbished former Kwik Save unit on Claughton Road in Birkenhead, to facilitate a wider programme of regeneration to the Grange Road retail area.

The move allowed the demolition of the properties on the corner of Grange Road and Catherine Street, owned by Pochin.

In addition to these properties, the Claughton Road car park is being redeveloped into a new 95,000 sq ft Asda foodstore. Planning was granted in 2007.

Bus lane improvements and other highway works to Claughton Road are also included in the scheme.

In 2009 a Compulsory Purchase Order was made and several businesses moved to alternative accommodation through this process.

Pochin acquired the former Kwik Save unit on Claughton Road and have carried out refurbishment works in September last year to allow B&M Retail to start to trade from the new store on Wednesday 20 October 2010. The old Grange Road store closed on Thursday 21 October last year.

Pochin Developments is the development partner of Wirral Council tasked to deliver the town centre regeneration project.

Jim Nicholson, Pochin property director, said: "The feasibility, planning and preparation phase has taken a long time to achieve but it is a credit to this forward thinking council and the endeavour of our development team that this phase has now been successfully completed.

"By moving B&M Retail to a comparable town centre site, we have retained this important retail offer for local shoppers. Clearing the Grange Road and Catherine Street site marks the beginning of this massive town centre regeneration project, which will be completed by Asda. The new Asda store will open with improved car parking and public transport facilities to enhance town centre shopping and provide new jobs for local people."

Completion is expected towards the end of 2011.