Superstore plan for former Telford school site could create up to 80 new jobs

Plans have been submitted for a retail development on the former Madeley Court School site off Parkway, which could see store giants Lidl, Subway and Poundworld moving in.

The school closed in 2009 when pupils were re-located to the newly built Madeley Academy. It would be the second phase of development on the site, which already has Aldi and KFC on it.

The application, submitted by Telford & Wrekin Council, would see Lidl installed as the anchor store in the development.

Other stores would include Subway, Poundworld and Vets 4 Pets, with a fifth retail unit also in the pipeline. The plans also include a 202-space car park, which would be free to use for shoppers.

A report submitted with the application said the new Lidl store would create 40 jobs.

The Poundworld shop would see between 15 and 18 full-time jobs created, Subway between 12 and 15 and Vets 4 Pets five.

The council say the fifth store, yet to be snapped up, had the potential to create up to six jobs based on its size.

"Lidl has been looking for an appropriate site within the Madeley area for a new store, and regards the subject site as being ideally suited," the report says.

"With regard to the other named operators, namely Poundworld, Subway and Vets 4 Pets, these too regard the application site and the development proposed as ideal in terms of meeting their outstanding requirements for representation in Madeley."

The report said: "The proposal will also create up to 80 new jobs, while also creating construction-related employment opportunities.

"The car park will also be available free of charge, facilitating linked shopping trips and spin-off economic benefits for other businesses located in the centre of Madeley."

Plans are out to consultation, with a decision expected in the next few months.