Cafe plan for former lodge at old Wolverhampton hospital

All Saints Action Network (ASAN) has applied for planning permission to convert the former porters’ lodge just outside the Royal Hospital building at the junction of Cleveland Road and Vicarage Road.

The historic hospital premises, which was built between 1846 and 1849, closed in 1997 and is now being turned into an apartment complex for over 55s.

A statement from Architecttura Design, the agents acting on behalf of ASAN, said: “The Royal Hospital porters’ lodge occupies a gateway location to the All Saints area from the city centre. It is where the new housing development at the hospital site and the entrance to ‘old’ All Saints via Vicarage Road come together and link to the town centre.

“The attractive new square and public realm being developed will create a gateway to existing communities and businesses in All Saints to access this heritage cafe.

“Since 2016, All Saints Action Network (ASAN) has been working on a project to develop a new community cafe as part of the redevelopment of the Grade II listed Royal Hospital site in All Saints.

“The cafe will be located in the new Cleveland Square, which will be the new public piazza in the heart of All Saints. As well as providing food and drinks, the cafe will provide much-needed space for various community events and will also celebrate the heritage of the Royal Hospital through exhibitions and events relating to people’s memories of the hospital,” it added.

“The cafe will play a crucial role in integrating residents from the 322 new homes and apartments on the Royal Hospital and bus garage sites into the wider All Saints neighbourhood.”

The former hospital, which has been closed to the public and semi-derelict since 1997, is currently being redeveloped into a series of residential apartments. Councillors will make a decision on the planning application in the near future.