Thursday, November 17, 2022
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WOLVERHAMPTON EDITION
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TALKS START ON FORMER STORE Council chiefs are in talks over the redevelopment of a former Sainsbury’s store that has been closed for eight years. The supermarket’s St George’s site in Wolverhampton city centre has remained vacant since closing in 2014 – despite a series of proposals to bring it back into use. Now Wolverhampton Council has revealed that talks have started over a redevelopment of the listed former church – with either housing, a school, a store or offices touted as potential uses. However, no work will take place until after Sainsbury’s lease has expired in three years. It is understood that at least one major financial firm has expressed an interest in taking over the landmark plot, which closed down when Sainsbury’s opened its superstore off Ring Road St Mark’s. Councillor Stephen Simkins, deputy council leader and cabinet member for city economy, said: “The former Sainsbury’s St George’s site is a key strategic site that is referenced in the Wolverhampton Investment Prospectus and is earmarked for future redevelopment. “The site is currently under lease to Sainsbury’s for a further three
Report by Thomas Parkes
years and will come forward on a phased basis subject to their lease concluding. The council is in active dialogue with prospective development partners on the redevelopment of this site and in wider consultation with Homes England. “Planning policy guidance refers to a mix of uses appropriate for the site including retail, offices, food and drink, residential, education, open space, community and leisure. “Future development proposals will need to reflect surrounding schemes already completed, progressing or in development. Any future scheme will also encourage a sensitive re-use and preservation of the listed church building, with all proposals subject to appropriate approvals and business cases.” Councillor Simon Bennett, deputy Conservative leader, said: “There’s been a fair amount of time with nothing going on with that site since it closed. We don’t want to see large buildings empty in the city because they can attract anti-social behaviour and fall into disrepair. It’s good news it will be brought back into use but it’s been a long time coming.”
Ribbons for campaign
Lights on for Christmas Crooner Tony Christie and children’s character Hey Duggee will entertain the crowds at Wolverhampton’s Christmas lights switch-on this weekend. Proceedings start at 3pm on Saturday with a funfair and festive market on Dudley Street featuring real reindeer, face painting, food and drink and more. The switch-on is in Queen Square at 6pm. Santa’s Grotto will return to the Lower Mall of the Mander Centre between December 3 and 23, while a Nutcracker Trail with 14 full-size Nutcracker Soldiers to find will take over the streets of Wolverhampton city centre until December 22.
History fair set to return
Mayor Sandra Samuels helped make some of the orange ribbons Bags of orange ribbons have been made to raise awareness of domestic abuse in Wolverhampton. The Elias Mattu Foundation held events in Bilston, Brickkiln and the Bob Jones Community Hub for volunteers – including mayor Council-
lor Sandra Samuels – to make the ribbons. Graiseley Councillor Asha Matttu said: “We have got black bags full of ribbons to be delivered to the Mander Centre. The most important thing is for people to wear them to show support.”
A fair highlighting the history of a city is set to return after a Covid break. The Wolverhampton Local History Fair is returning to the Molineux Hotel on Saturday, running from 10am to 4pm. Councillor Stephen Simkins said: “As a council, we are proud to support and see the return of the Wolverhampton Local History Fair and I very much encourage everyone to go along. “The Local History Fair is a great opportunity for local residents to discover our city’s fascinating past.” Entry to the Wolverhampton Local History Fair will be £2 for adults and £1 for children.
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