Exciting £100 million plans have been unveiled to transform a suburb into a shopping mecca. The huge scheme will see a major revamp of Shirley town centre in a bid to breathe new life into the predominantly 1930s shopping district strung out along the A34 Stratford Road. Developers Shirley Advance have been appointed by the council to head up the Heart of Shirley project which will include a new shopping complex costing up to £100million. A major supermarket, thought to be Asda, up to 20 new retail units and more than 100 new homes are included. It will link in with Shirley's existing shops and will include land behind the parade running from the Saracens Head to Shirley Baptist Church. The developers say Shirley is losing trade to the impressive Touchwood shopping complex in Solihull and Birmingham's Bullring. They hope the project will attract shoppers back to Shirley. As well as the 75,000-100,000 sq ft shopping centre, the revamp will also improve facilities in Shirley Park and add a central car park and traffic improvements. Work looks set to begin in spring 2006 and could be completed as soon as summer 2007. The developers say they have already been in talks with retail giants Next, Miss Selfridge, Topshop and WH Smith and are confident the plans will attract big name stores. They say the development could also include cafes, restaurants and even a hotel. Some properties may be lost to the scheme and organisations such as the Royal British Legion may have to be relocated. Residents have already voiced strong opposition to the scheme claiming the town does not need another supermarket as there are already eight along the Stratford Road through the suburb. Robert Birch, of Shirley Advance, said: "We want to give Shirley a new heart. We want to put Shirley on the map in terms of retail." A series of exhibitions will be held in July and September to give residents a chance to have their say and a panel of traders, residents and councillors has been set up to oversee the consultation. | 
