Last orders at historic pub

A landmark Black Country pub dating back at least 100 years has shut after its owners agreed to sell it for development. The Kings Highway, which dates back to the early 1900s, was boarded up earlier this week.

Mitchells & Butlers said it decided to shut the Hagley Road pub after a review into its businesses.

News that the once-popular pub on the Oldbury-Quinton border has shut comes as other pubs in the Black Country have been forced to call last orders for the final time.

The 100-year-old Gladstone pub in Portway Road, Wednesbury, was recently boarded up as was The Bush in Leabrook Road, near Ocker Hill in Tipton.

Kings Highway regular Dennis Amos said he was saddened to see its sudden demise and that he fears for the future of other traditional pubs.

"It was a very popular pub," he said. "It was built back in the early 1900s and I think it's just heartbreaking to see it go.

"With all the pubs disappearing it makes you wonder how many will be left in 10 or 20 years."

Mr Amos said the loss of the pub was made worse by the fact housing could replace it. "Some of these modern flats will be the slums of tomorrow I think," he added.

Although the pub is now set to be sold off, Mr Amos added he was looking into starting a petition to have the building saved.

M&B spokesman Andrew Roache said: "The sale of the Kings Highway has been concluded and the pub stopped trading on August 2.

"We review our estate on a regular basis and on this occasion we took the decision to sell the property for redevelopment. All of our staff have been offered redeployment opportunities in our other local outlets."

Figures from the local Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) group show that the number of pubs in the area boarded up or closing to be demolished is increasing year on year, with the 2006 figures up by more than 60 per cent.