Calls for Asda to deal with ‘eyesore’ pub on town’s high street

The former King’s Arms at the end of Bloxwich High Street, which is owned by the supermarket giant, has fallen into dereliction since it closed in the mid-1990s.

Councillor Pete Smith, ward member for Blakenall, said Asda needed to deal with the ‘eyesore’ which is ‘casting a shadow’ over the war memorial opposite.

In 2018, Asda submitted a planning application to demolish the building but withdrew it before a decision could be made.

A survey carried out into the three-storey building at the time said the pub had fallen victim to neglect, vandalism, water ingress and that the timber interior would likely have wet rot.

Councillor Smith said: “Asda owns this eyesore and it’s time they sorted it. We have waited more than a quarter of a century.

“It casts a shadow over our war memorial just over the road, this is anti-social behaviour of the highest level.

“Thousands of motorists and pedestrians have to see this daily. It’s the biggest scar on Bloxwich High Street.

“Although this building does not belong to Walsall Council, this derelict eyesore is giving our council a bad name in the eyes of the public.

“It’s time Asda stopped concerning itself solely about its private profits and shareholder interests, and began to face up to its social responsibility by doing something to address the social costs of this eyesore to Bloxwich and the wider community.”

Asda said it hoped to find a long-term solution. A spokesperson said: “We recently invested in clearing the perimeter of the site and continue to carry out maintenance works.

“Our priority is to find a long-term solution, and we continue to work with our team of consultants with that aim.”