Historic firm's empty offices to be demolished

The offices on Holyhead Road are currently empty

The historic offices of a silver-plated tableware firm are set to be demolished.

Empty units at the Queen Anne Works in Wednesbury, known for producing knives, forks and spoons since the early 20th century, will make way for new industrial facilities.

The offices on Holyhead Road are currently empty and will be replaced by seven new units, while a factory on the site will be refurbished.

The planning application submitted to Sandwell Council states the site's offices became empty when the firm changed ownership and moved to Wolverhampton.

A statement included with the application said Queen Anne Works was a "major employer in the town".

"Famed for electroplating, Queen Anne Works dates from the early 20th century and has undergone several transformations in built form in the last 100 years," it read.

"The remaining electroplated tableware function has been relocated into Wolverhampton and the buildings are now unused."

Holyhead Road and the surrounding area have been earmarked as part of a so-called regeneration corridor between Wednesbury and West Bromwich.

Sandwell Council has classed the area as a major site for new housing, with more than 1,700 homes proposed.

Around half of these are set to be built in and around Wednesbury town centre.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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