WORK has started on a new Waitrose store in Bromsgrove.

It will be part of a £3.5m retail development by commercial property developer the Hinton Group,which will transform the former Market Hall site in the town centre, create new jobs and attract further investment.

Hinton Group director Jon Hinton was joined by Cllr Karen May and Cllr Margaret Buxton of Bromsgrove District Council, and Daren Humphrey of Waitrose, to officially launch the start of work on site.

PDR Construction has begun the demolition of existing buildings, including George House, which housed the former Blockbuster store. The Waitrose store is expected to open for trading in Spring next year.

Bromsgrove District Council completed the deal to sell the land to the Hinton Group earlier this year. Phase one of the development includes the 9,000 sq ft food store and 86 car parking spaces. The developers will also make improvements to the Spadesbourne Brook, including the water course and water vole habitats, as well as the planting of trees, both on and off site in Sanders Park. A planning application has been submitted for phase two, which will include a further 14,500 sq ft of retail space.

Hinton Group development director Jon Hinton said: “As we are based in Bromsgrove, this project is very important to us. We are very proud to be playing our part in delivering a key element of the regeneration of our town centre, and we are committed to achieving similar success with the remainder of the site. We have been working very hard behind the scenes for a long time to ensure Bromsgrove gets the best result possible on this site. I’m confident that the new Waitrose store will be welcomed by residents and visitors to Bromsgrove and will provide an impressive new facility on this important site.”

The new store will create 60 full and part-time jobs.