IT WAS an ambitious £5m project that transformed what was a green field and woodland site into a modern district shopping centre.

Now, the Locks Heath Shopping Village is celebrating its 30-year milestone.

The district centre of then is still recognisable today, thanks in particular to the large spire and clock tower, which was designed at the time to be a focal point and still remains, towering over the shops and car park.

The project by Green Lane Developments was the brainchild of chairman of the company Arthur North, who came out of retirement after a fortnight to take on the ambitious project.

The scheme was meant to be a focal point in the expansion of the western wards and to cater for the growing population in the area. The 44-acre site comprised of the 11-acre shopping centre and a 15-acre park.

On opening it had 22 shops including a library, beauty parlour and hairdresser, two restaurants and the Co-op Superstore.

Most of the shops opened towards the end of 1983, with the first customers arriving on November 15.

Today, the shopping village has 34 retailers offering a mixture of high street brand names alongside independent shops as well as a post office, library, dentist and dry cleaners.

To mark 30 years, the shopping village is planning a special birthday party on June 8 and has asked local schools to help design a giant Happy Birthday banner. The banner, which is more than 5 metres long and will feature artwork from pupils at eight local schools, will be unveiled on the day.

From 11am to 4pm there will be a selection of craft and produce stalls, Locks Heath Butcher will hold a barbecue and many retailers will have themed offers and discounts.

Then at 12.30pm customers can take part in a giant game of pass the parcel.

Ian Goodridge, centre manager of Locks Heath Shopping Village, said: “There’s a real sense of excitement in the runup to our birthday celebrations “In such hard economic times it is encouraging to be doing so well and to have such positive news.

“This is the perfect time for shoppers to discover all that Locks Heath Shopping Village has to offer.”