Kidderminster’s Worcester Street has seen the opening of a new store, MegaValue.com.

This is a new venture from the owners of Sports Direct, and is intended to be the ‘son of Woolworths’.

Given the sadness when Woolworths closed across the country, a new venture seeking to repeat the model (hopefully more successfully) should have been welcomed with open arms. However, there are mixed feelings about the opening.

It is undeniable that Worcester Street has seen a decline in its fortunes over the last few years. This has come as a result of the success of Weavers Wharf and the shift of the town. This will continue with the redevelopment of the Crown House area, which will see a town centre square and more retail outlets, a remodelling of the car park and road access to the site, and some restaurants along the canal side.

So why is there mixed reaction to the MegaValue opening? The reality is that it will be the fourth (I believe) discount store opening in Worcester Street. While it brings retail jobs to View from Westminster the area and choice to consumers, it does not meet the need to bring a more upmarket offering to Kidderminster.

The council is looking to reopen Worcester Street to traffic and change some of the planning restrictions from commercial space to residential. With few people living in the town centre, the opportunity for cafes and restaurants becomes limited; more local residents combined with a greater retail offering in Weaver’s Wharf will provide more footfall that will, in turn, support the type of outlets that give a town a vibrant heart.

The last ten years have seen some good changes to our towns. The next few years will see more. Kidderminster’s Weaver’s Wharf and the area around the Town Hall will be redeveloped; Stourport will get its canal basins redevelopment; and Bewdley will see the area around the library and old medical centre redeveloped. There is a huge amount to be optimistic about. So while I welcome MegaValue and its investment into our district, it probably doesn’t reflect the vision that we all have for our towns.

CONTACT YOUR MP

Email: mark.garnier.mp@parliament.uk

Telephone: 020 7219 7198 or 01562 746771

Write: 9a Lower Mill Street, Kidderminster, DY11 6UU, or House of Commons, Westminster, London