Owners of the former Shannons Mill leatherworks in Walsall which was destroyed by fire in 2007 has been given a further 18 months to revitalise the site.

Walsall Council chiefs allowed six months for something to be done with the huge site in George Street in May. However, with no sign of any progress a further 18 months has now been approved for Norton & Proffitt, the owner of the site. If there is still no progress then the council has the power to take over Shannons Mill itself and lead its own redevelopment.

Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said: “We have the right to do certain things such as take it over and do it up ourselves although that is not something we want to do.

“At a cabinet meeting six months ago we decided to look into it and see whether it was them not pushing things or whether it was just the downturn in the market that meant there was no interest.

“We are satisfied it is down to the market suffering and we have said to them ‘carry on batting’ and see what they can come up with in the next 18 months in terms of seeking a partner to develop it or an anchor store.”

A blaze ripped through the historic Victorian clothing mill on August 3, 2007 with firefighters from across the region called to the scene to tackle the flames.

Redevelopment plans for the site had been in the pipeline for years before the fire, the worst in the West Midlands for 25 years. Land preparation work on the site had started when the fire destroyed the building leaving a shell.

Had it gone ahead there would have been 45 apartments on the George Street frontage with the rear providing 45,000 sq-ft of offices.

Since the fire other other plans have been discussed such as creating a cinema, restaurants, bars and offices on the site. But nothing has ever come to fruition.

Police dropped an investigation into the cause of a huge blaze which destroyed the grade II listed Shannons Mill last October. Arson was ruled out due to lack of evidence. Norton & Proffitt was unavailable for comment.