Flats plan for former Wetherspoons approved

The Malthouse on New Road, Willenhall closed to customers in March 2023.

Plans to convert part of a former Wetherspoons branch and cinema into seven one-bedroom studio apartments have been approved by Walsall Council.

The Malthouse on New Road, Willenhall closed to customers in March 2023.

The approved plans, by applicant Menfor Group, include adding an extra storey to provide four floors in total.

The property, which also used to be a bingo hall, was sold in 2024, having been put on the market for offers in the region of £650,000.

Three of the floors will have two apartments each and the top floor will have just one, with plans showing all the apartments located in the corner of the large L-shaped building.

The section of the premises within the prominent round facade of the pub facing New Road remains unaffected by the proposals and has been designated for retail use.

The rear of the building, which used to house the bar, seating area and customer toilets, has also been sectioned off in this planning application.

Agent Cr8 Architecture said that part of the building is earmarked for a future residential development.

The application is the second one submitted by Menfor Group, with the first withdrawn in 2024.

It was originally proposed to develop the property into eight one-bedroom studio apartments but the approved plans now detail only seven.