Work begins converting famous Wolverhampton music shop into ale bar
Work has started converting a well-known former music shop in Wolverhampton into a four-floor ale venue.
The former Mike Lloyd Music building in Queen Square, later used by KFC, has been empty for more than five years. In 2023 it was named and shamed by businessman Henry Carver as one of his 'dirty dozen' of eyesore buildings which he said were letting the city down.
But Andy Evans, who previously ran the acclaimed - but short-lived - Olde Vicarage pub in Codsall, and business partner Nicc Bennett, have now begun work converting the empty building into a new bar specialising in real ale.
They hope to have the first phase of the venue, which will be called the Perfect Ale Cask & Keg (Pack) open by mid-October.
Mr Evans said the venue would initially open as a ground-floor real-ale pub, with 10 real ales and six-to-eight craft beers, as well as lagers and ciders.
He hopes, subject to planning permission to open a live music venue in the basement, along with a games room, and finally a private 'speakeasy' style bar which he hopes to open towards the end of 2026.
Mr Evans, 51, is the founder of Codsall Beer Festival.
The Old Vicarage opened in July 2023, and was immediately recognised with a listing in the Campaign for Real Ale's Good Beer Guide. But Mr Evans was unable to secure a long-term lease, and the pub, in a former vicarage, was forced to close in September 2024 - the same month the beer guide was published.
Mr Evans said he was delighted with the site of his new venture, which held fond memories for many people.
In its heyday in the 1970s and 80s, Mike Lloyd Music was one of the West Midlands' best known record shops and concert promoters.
"i would really like to get some Mike Lloyd memorabilia to pay homage, if I could," he said.
"It's where I bought my first gig ticket, and the place means a lot to people my age and a little bit older."
Mr Evans said he expected to create about 20 jobs when the bar opened.
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