Student flats plan for empty eyesore building

The building on Princess Street in Wolverhampton city centre has lain empty for a number of years, applicants said

Student accommodation and a gym are planned as part of an attempt to breathe new life into an empty building in Wolverhampton city centre.

A planning application has been submitted to City of Wolverhampton Council to convert the upper floors of the Art Deco building, on Princess Street, into 22 student flats.

The plans, from PH8 Investments, also feature retail units in the former ground floor shop, and a gym, sauna and steam room for students, in the basement.

A statement included with the application said: "The building has remained largely vacant for several years, particularly on upper floors, contributing little to the street scene."

The plans would "reintegrate" it into active use, the statement added.

Most of the building, which is situated between bookmakers, has been empty since 2015 when furniture specialist E Marsh relocated.

The building is seen as an increasing eyesore, and new retail units detailed in the application could be used for a cafe or offices.

A scheme to open a restaurant at the site was approved by the council in 2018, but the work was never carried out.

The plans follow the recent granting of an application for a new cocktail bar in Princess Street, which will open in another long-time empty building.

WV1 Cocktail Bar will open in the former Revolution, which shut in 2013.

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