Historic foundry site is up for sale

Part of the historic Soho Foundry site in Smethwick has been put up for sale by its owners, who have offered Sandwell Council first option to buy it.

Smethwick company Avery Weigh-Tronix wants the authority to take over around one third of the 22-acre landmark site, but the council says it will only consider the option if a viable use can be found.

It is thought the Grade II listed building could cost at least £5 million to bring back into use.

The foundry, dating back to 1794, has been placed on the at-risk register by English Heritage and campaigners have called for it to be brought back into use as a new leisure hub for the area. A specially constructed £700,000 'steel tent' has now been placed over the complex of buildings to protect them from future disintegration until a future use is found.

Fears were raised over the future of the foundry in January when it was revealed owners Avery Weigh-Tronix had been bought out by American-based firm Illinois Tool Works.

But the company has said it does not affect the preservation plans although it was hoping to offload it to the council. David Spencer, spokesman for Avery Weigh-Tronix, said: "We have done some work to stabilise the building and have given the council the option to buy it.

"It is really up to them what they do now."

Sandwell Council's regeneration chief Councillor Bob Badham said the council was looking at options for the re-use of buildings to secure their long term future.

He said ownership would only be transferred to the authority if a sustainable use was identified in which case a trust would be set up to manage it, enabling access to additional funding.

"It's just too important to lose," he said. "The council is seeking to address the important heritage issues without prejudicing any future development possibilities."

He added the council was working together with Avery Weigh-Tronix, English Heritage, Princes Regeneration Trust and the Lunar Society to secure the long term future.

The site is widely considered one of the most important sites relating to the Industrial Revolution in the Black Country.

It was built in 1794 by pioneering industrialists Matthew Boulton and James Watt.

In 2007 an £8 million plan to transform the foundry into a tourist attraction including leisure facilities, offices, bars and a cafe was axed by the council over fears the development would not be viable.