BUILDING is finally underway on the £3.5million Waitrose development in Bromsgrove town centre.

The new supermarket, which is being built on the old Market Hall site on Hanover Street, is set to bring 60 full and part-time jobs to the town, as well as a contribution from Bromsgrove-based developers Hinton Group to improve the surrounding area.

Hinton Group director Jon Hinton was joined by councillors Karen May and Margaret Buxton, of Bromsgrove District Council, and Daren Humphrey from Waitrose, to officially launch the start of work on site this week, two years after the plans were initially revealed in September 2015.

Phase one of the development includes the 9,000 square foot food store, as well as 86 car parking spaces, four of which will be disabled and two parent and child, in addition to four motorcycle spaces and a secure area to hold eight bicycles.

Developers have also pledged to improve the Spadesbourne Brook, including the water course and water vole habitats, and to plant trees, both on and off site in Sanders Park.

Mr 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.”

Phase one of the development has now started and contractor PDR Construction has begun the demolition of existing buildings, including George House, which held the old Blockbuster store.

Bromsgrove District Councillor Karen May, whose portfolio covers economic development, said: "After lots of hard work behind the scenes, it is extremely exciting that residents and visitors will now be able to see the development physically taking shape. I’d like to welcome Waitrose to Bromsgrove and look forward to hearing about future opportunities for the town via this development.”

Hinton Group has also submitted a planning application for phase two, which comprises 14,500 square feet of retail space, set to be named The Market Place, to include shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments.

The proposed development, which is "pending consideration" by Bromsgrove District Council planners, would wrap around the northern corner of the site and incorporate an addition parking area.

The Waitrose store, which will be the fifth in Worcestershire, is expected to open for trading in Spring 2017.