'We fear Highgate Brewery will go up in smoke' say Walsall pub heritage campaigners
Heritage campaigners have repeated calls for efforts to put an empty historic Black Country brewery to use or risk it being targeted by arsonists.
Friends of Highgate Brewery, which was set up to assist with efforts to save the site more than a decade ago, is desperate to see it re-developed in a manner keeping with its heritage. The group has joined forces with the Walsall Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in renewing calls for action over claims the Sandymount Road site has fallen into a state of disrepair.
The locked-up site is owned by Birmingham-based Empire Star which insisted that the brewery tower was not "rotting" away and that the premises was being checked. It also ruled out any future return to brewery operations.
Bob Newton, of The Friends of Highgate Brewery, said: "We have been worried about the state of disrepair of the brewery buildings at the Sandymount site for some time now. We have recently sent a letter jointly with Walsall CAMRA, to the Council, expressing our concerns about not only the brewery, but the ‘Brewery Stores’ in High Street where bits have dropped off into the street, forcing the council to cordon off the area.
"The brewery building has been empty since 2010 and shrubs can be seen growing out of the roof at the back. Both buildings are owned by the same company from Birmingham, and we feel that the powers that be should encourage them to make their buildings safe and reverse their sad decline. The Victorian tower brewery is Grade II listed and a fine example of its kind, while the Brewery Stores boasts a brick vaulted cellar, big enough to be used as a jazz venue - Walsall Youth Jazz Orchestra performed there."
