A BRIERLEY Hill shopping centre will have a new lease of life after being acquired in a multi-million pound takeover.

The 14-unit Moor Centre has been bought by London-based Evolve Estates, which has promised to bring a range of new tenants and increased footfall to the high street.

Brierley Hill councillors and business leaders have welcomed the new investment which they hope will kick-start a town centre revival.

Danny O’Keefe, partner at Evolve Estates, said: “We will be investing in a programme of refurbishment and improvements to significantly improve the scheme for the benefit of occupiers and their customers.

“Along with our managing agents, London and Cambridge Properties, who are located close to Brierley Hill, we will be working closely with Dudley Council and Brierley Hill businesses to ensure the success of the centre, attracting a greater footfall and a range of new tenants.”

Current tenants at the multi-let High Street centre - the only purpose-built scheme in Brierley Hill –include Iceland, Superdrug, Boots, Bet Fred and Greggs.

A spokeswoman for the property firm said talks are already ongoing with potential businesses to let the units.

“The company has a number of contacts across England and has already spoken to large retailers as well as a number of smaller local businesses,” she said.

Welcoming Evolve Estates’ investment into the centre, Brierley Hill Councillor Rachel Harris said: “It has all been a bit sudden, but I will welcome anyone who wants to invest in Brierley Hill and work alongside us as a council and the members of our community.

“I hope the investment will help with the revival of our town and the high street.

“The acquisition is in its early days, but I welcome a meeting with the new investors to see what their future plans are for the centre.”

Shane Birch-Bastock, chairman of the Brierley Hill Traders Association, said: “The acquisition is something we heard about recently with rumours circulating a few weeks ago that someone was buying it.

“I have heard previous tenants were not very happy with the way the centre was being run by its previous owners as no investment has been made into it for a number of years and it has been left run down.

“It should be a good move, as long as the investors communicate with local groups, the council and the community.”