Following a meeting today between Pat McFadden and Chris Bush, UK Managing Director of Tesco, Pat McFadden said:

“I am pleased that Tesco have confirmed today that they will go ahead with the development on the Royal Hospital site. All the way through I have told the company that the city wants the jobs, the investment and the regeneration this development will bring. I wish this was happening sooner because the Royal Hospital site has been left undeveloped for far too long but, having reviewed the project, the company have said they will not walk away and have given a commitment that this will go ahead next year. Tesco has owned this site for a very long time and I believe the company has a responsibility to the people of the city. I stressed to the company how important it was that they stick to their word and go ahead with the project. I am pleased that they said that is what they will do.”

For information: Tesco has owned the Royal Hospital Site in Wolverhampton since 2001. Planning permission was given two years ago for a £60 million Tesco development at the site. Tesco began work last year but put the project into review by the company last month. Following that decision Pat McFadden MP wrote to Tesco CEO Philip Clarke urging the company to stick to its word and go ahead with the development and asking for today’s meeting with UK managing Director Chris Bush.