Walsall Guildhall revamp plan gets green light

The Guildhall and neighbouring buildings will be turned into a cafe and gallery space, and provide space for local makers

A plan to renovate Walsall Guildhall and turn it into a new creative venue has had the go-ahead by planners.

The proposals will see the Grade II Listed building on the High Street converted into the Creative Industries Enterprise Centre.

A cafe, gallery space and conference facilities will be created, under plans by the local authority and non-profit Community Interest Company Urban Hax.

The scheme has so far received £5.5m grant funding.

The money was awarded by Arts Council England and the Department of Culture Media and Sport.

It will see the Guildhall transformed, along with the neighbouring police station and other adjoining buildings.

The CIEC will also have space for local makers and creative industries.

Work has begun with the inside of the site being stripped out ahead of drawing up the layout of the centre, which it is hoped will host up to 50 companies across five floors.

Walsall Council committee members voted in favour of the plan at a meeting on Thursday.

Council leader Mike Bird said: "Hopefully, it will come forward to be a building we can be proud of. I think it is part of the heritage of the town."

Expressing concerns about the project, councillor Suky Samra countered: "I do hope we've made the right decision. This is a listed building which needs a lot of work."

This report was compiled by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a partnership between the BBC and regional news organisations to cover news from local authorities and other public service organisations.