A borough undergoing exciting transformation, Walsall has an ambitious, clear and forward-thinking vision to support continued regeneration and economic development. As a result, this has helped establish a superb reputation for working closely with developers, investors and landowners via open and innovative approaches to funding and delivery.

Centrally located and just minutes from the M6 motorway – a major arterial route running through the UK – Walsall offers excellent connectivity to the rest of the United Kingdom. A £78 million programme of upgrade works to improve junction 10 of the M6 motorway will further reduce congestion and journey times. Just 20 minutes by train to Birmingham and two hours to London, Walsall is also within easy reach of Birmingham International Airport, where residents and investors can access 130 destinations in 49 countries worldwide. The borough’s connectivity is just one factor that has attracted leading global brands to set-up headquarters and distribution hubs in the area, including A.F Blakemore, Barhale, Homeserve and Poundland.

More than £500 million of investment has been attracted, with many schemes either currently under construction or with planning consent confirmed. Walsall Council has facilitated and enabled substantial private sector investment and sustainable development to support economic growth and community wellbeing. Within the borough, Bloxwich and Walsall Town Centre have also been selected to receive £23.5m each from the UK Government’s £3.6bn Towns Fund, enabling huge investment opportunities for locations such as a Construction Skills Academy, Advanced Electric Vehicle Technology Centre and Digital Skills Hub.

Investors can benefit from a huge amount of investment opportunities earmarked by Walsall Council in the Walsall Town Centre Masterplan. Set to commence over the next 20 years, the local authority is aiming to build a prominent new railway station and improve connections between key transport hubs. Large sites for commercial and industrial opportunities are available within the M6 Junction 10 cluster, throughout the town centre and along the M6 Toll, A5 and A461 corridors, where they can access the national motorway markets and the West Midlands talent pool.

Growing housing demand is also driving substantial opportunities to lever additional investment, delivering more residential properties by 2026. Walsall Council is committed to the acceleration of house building and improving their housing mix through their supply of brownfield land to create high-quality, sustainable communities. Investors can work with the authority on a significant number of land opportunities, ranging from large strategic developments to smaller, self-build sites. One of the most exciting plans for residential growth is the Willenhall Framework; a 10-year vision and delivery strategy for future housing growth and development in Willenhall. The area will benefit from a successful bid for £20m from the Levelling Up Fund, which will support delivery of homes and accessibility, as well as the reopening of a rail line and brand-new railway station.