Owners of Walsall eyesore facing court action
The owners of a long-standing eyesore in Walsall are being taken to court after failing to clean up the run down building.
Action is being taken over the former Dainty's toy shop in Willenhall that has been in a state of disrepair for more than a decade.
Legal notices were served but not fully complied with and the owners are being summoned to appear at Walsall Magistrates Court next month.
If all requirements are not met Walsall Council could then step in, carry out the repairs and seek back the cost.
A notice ordering clear up work at the building in Stafford Street was agreed by the council last summer.
There were a series of dates for which works needed to be completed with the last expiring at the beginning of April.
The work included removing dirt and algae, boarding of windows, fresh painting and reinstating the gutter and drainpipes.
However, the authority says only a small amount of the work has been carried out and the owners had failed to meet the scheduled targets.
In a report to councillors head of planning David Elsworthy said: "It is clear that whilst every effort has been taken to encourage compliance with each stage of work, that it is not forthcoming and consequently prosecution action should take place in respect of the owners.
"As such officers have requested legal officers to bring this case to the magistrates court as a matter of urgency, a date has now been set for May 20.
"If this prosecution does not bring about compliance, officers intend further prosecutions and applications for a daily fine."
The owners of Dainty's could not be contacted for comment.
