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University bid for Wolverhampton's Varsity pub

A landmark city centre pub would be taken over by the University of Wolverhampton and turned into a grand reception area, under new plans being drawn up.

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A landmark city centre pub would be taken over by the University of Wolverhampton and turned into a grand reception area, under new plans being drawn up.

Talks are currently ongoing to transform The Varsity from a popular live music venue into a new entrance for the university. It is not known when the pub will close.

However, the owners of the venue in Stafford Street have confirmed it is on the market.

The pub is separated from the university's MA building by an alleyway.

John Nightingale, from the Wolverhampton branch of Campaign for Real Ale, said it would be a "great pity" to lose another bar in the city centre.

Last year, Barracuda postponed a planned £150,000 refurbishment of the bar despite it being granted a licence to open an extra hour until 2.30am.

Then, the company had said it was looking to make the venue more appealing to people in their 30s and 40s.

Barracuda was fined £25,000 earlier this year after the Varsity, which is popular with students, was forced to close its kitchen because of a rat infestation.

Mr Nightingale said: "The Varsity has always been a young person's bar and there is a place for that in Wolverhampton."

But Councillor Phil Page, Wolverhampton City Council's cabinet member for skills and learning, said: "It's always good to hear that a building won't stand empty. I'm glad the university is interested in buying the building."

University spokesman James Allen today would not confirm or deny if the university was in talks with Barracuda but bar staff at The Varsity said discussions were ongoing.

Wolverhampton has lost some of its biggest venues over the past few years. In March, nightclub Oceana closed its doors. And in May 2009, Sopranos restaurant shut down.

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