Plan to convert part of former Dudley police station into shop

Plans have been lodged to turn part of a former Black Country police station into a shop, just three years after it was converted into flats.

The application, from an un-named developer, seeks to convert two-ground-floor flats and a caretaker’s office at the former Dudley police headquarters on the corner of New Street and Tower Street into a retail unit.

The applicant said the shop would be primarily aimed at residents of the flats, but would also be open to the general public.

The shop will have two entrances, one on the front of the building, for the general public, and a second opening onto a corridor inside.

A statement on behalf of the the applicant said: “The retail facility would provide the residential occupiers of the building as the primary users, those especially with social needs a shared onsite facility that meets their needs as well as other wider local users of the city centre.

“Neighbouring residential occupiers will find the facility of great benefit, and this will improve the immediate onsite convenience and range of services that improve their lives and improve social interaction.”

The locally listed building dates back to 1939, and was used as a police station until 2016. In 2021 planning permission was granted for the building to be converted into 24 flats, half of which are rented out as social housing.

The statement said no external alterations were planned for the building.

A new Dudley police headquarters opened at Castlegate park last year.

The scheme will now be considered by Dudley Council’s planners.