THE former Peacocks unit in Dudley town centre is set to be converted into a Job Centre.

Proposals for the empty unit on the High Street to be transformed into a Job Centre to help people left out of work by the covid pandemic, have been approved by Dudley Council planners.

The application states: "The proposed Job Centre is an initiative of the Works and Pensions Department of Central Government to respond to the economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It is specifically aimed at improving the economic circumstances of local areas across the UK by assisting those who have lost their jobs as a consequence of Covid-19 getting back into work.

"The need for these facilities is immediate as it is to address the immediate consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on the national economy.

"As a result, it is imperative that the initiative can be started immediately to help those that have the immediate need for assistance in getting back into the jobs market and therefore contribute towards the nation’s economy."

The proposal also states that the job centre would "add to vitality and viability in the town centre" and that it would result in more people visiting the town to receive training, which would benefit existing businesses.  

An application to change the shopfront and install ventilation and extraction equipment was given the thumbs up by planners at Dudley Council.