Express & Star

Hair salon to be forced out as pub plans expansion

A hair salon aimed at serving low income families will close as part of a Walsall pub’s expansion plans.

Published
The Queens in Pelsall

Martson’s wants to expand The Queen’s in Norton Road in Pelsall, to make it “a facility the village can be proud of”.

But the proposal, which was approved by Walsall Council’s planning committee, will result in the loss of Kand Hair which operates in part of the overall building owned by the brewery.

Salon owner Greg Lake told members that there were no available premises in the area for them to move to and closure will result in the loss of three jobs.

Mr Lake, who has operated from the premises for seven years, said: “I don’t feel there is any need for this extension as the pub is never full apart from on carnival day or on New Year’s Eve.

“The application says they are trying to create more kerb appeal by unifying the building. We have no objection to renovating the front but moving my business will put my employers on the dole.”

As part of the renovations, Marston’s will install a bay window to the front where the hair salon currently sits to give the building a uniformed look.

Representatives for Marston’s told the committee that CCTV has been installed to the building as a response to anti-social behaviour happening in the area.

They said: “It is a pub that is in growth. We want to make the pub bigger and better and invest in a tired building and make it a facility the village will be proud of.”