£400k tag for 'eyesore' centre

A former day care centre in Stourbridge has gone on the market with a guideline price of £400,000 and offers are already starting to come in. News of the sale has been welcomed by nearby residents.

They had complained that the site had become an eyesore. The Audnam Centre has been declared surplus to requirements by Dudley Council and was added to the land disposal programme earlier this year. Officials today said that businesses or individuals interested in the site have until September 24 to submit bids.

The centre, which provided services for adults with learning disabilities, closed last December and has been empty and boarded up since.

Residents nearby have complained that the building has become a blot on the landscape with weeds overgrowing at the front.

They say security boards over the doors and windows have also become dirty and marked by recent heavy rains.

Cash from the sale will be redirected to improve facilities in three other day centres for people with learning disabilities.

All services from the centre were transferred to neighbouring buildings and 20 people using the centre moved to neighbouring facilities.

Staff have been transferred to similar posts.

The building is next to a new housing development under construction by Selbourne Homes on the former site of the old Gladstone Arms pub, which was demolished earlier this year.

Phil Parker, spokesman for Dudley Council, said the final date for bids had now been confirmed by the authority.

"There is only a limited amount we can say on the sale at the moment as it is ongoing but people interested in the property have until September 24 to get their bids in," he said.

"All offers are welcome until this date."

Mr Parker said that people interested in the site were asked to call the helpdesk on 01384 814007.