Solihull Council and Muse have signed a Development Agreement to regenerate Mell Square, the iconic shopping hub in the heart of Solihull town centre.
The proposals to transform Mell Square with mixed uses including a significantly improved retail offer, new public spaces, leisure facilities, and homes are part of the wider Solihull Town Centre Masterplan, a bold blueprint for future investments and development opportunities in the heart of the borough.
Muse has an impressive reputation for regeneration and development across the UK, with notable projects such as Newcastle Quayside. In October 2023, they were chosen as the preferred development partner for this project.
During the spring and summer of this year, a series of public engagement activities were conducted, including online surveys designed to gather input from Solihull residents and businesses about the future of Mell Square.
The latest round of engagement is currently taking place as part of the pre-planning process, giving local residents the chance to share their views on the design of the reimagined shopping district. This feedback will inform the planning application, which will be submitted in the New Year.
Cllr Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council, said: “This is really great news for Solihull and the future of our town centre! This Development Agreement means that we are entering a crucial phase of the regeneration. With Muse’s expertise as a nationwide developer, I am confident that we can reinvigorate Mell Square to enhance Solihull town centre’s existing retail offer, visitor attractions and diversify the night-time economy. I’m really pleased to see a strong focus on new housing as part of Muses’ proposals. It’s so important that we can provide a range of properties for our residents, from starter homes onwards. Bringing more people into our town centre can only be a boost to our local businesses and the wider economy. It is important to incorporate the views of residents and businesses across our borough as we progress with the Mell Square redevelopment. I am therefore pleased that there will be more public engagement sessions this November, both in person and online. This will allow the local community to share their feedback on the next phase of this exciting project.”
Maggie Grogan, Managing Director – Midlands at Muse, said: “The regeneration of Mell Square is a unique opportunity to respond to the changing demands on Solihull town centre. Our vision could deliver a bold mixed-use neighbourhood with new evening and night-time uses, alongside new homes and public spaces. Having a Development Agreement in place enables us to build on the important work we have already done to develop our approach. We are looking forward to undertaking further engagement with the community later this year and showcasing our exciting plan before submitting a planning application.”
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