New student accommodation and shops approved for Wolverhampton
New student accommodation and shops will be built as part of an attempt to breathe new life into an eyesore 100-year-old city centre building after receiving the backing of a council.
A planning application to convert the building at 2-5 Princess Street, Wolverhampton, into 22 student flats and new retail units has been approved by City of Wolverhampton Council.
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The council said the “significant investment” would bring jobs as well as shops and accommodation to a vacant building.
The plans submitted by PH8 Investments show the former ground floor shop, which has been empty for a decade, would be converted into new retail units.
The ‘underused’ upper floors would be turned into student accommodation and the building’s basement would also be converted into a gym, sauna and steam room for students.
A report from the council outlining the decision said: “The proposals would create significant investment, including good quality student accommodation and re-using existing commercial space at this important location. This is likely to create employment opportunities here.
“The change of use and alteration/extension of this important locally listed building would create investment and jobs.
“There would also be student accommodation in the upper floors, which has been vacant for many years, as well as a good quality commercial space at ground floor level.
“[…] This is a relatively lively part of the city centre, particularly in the evening.
“There are a number of potential drinking establishments nearby, however, there are a number of existing residential uses already in this vicinity and therefore, it is unlikely that introducing student accommodation here would be harmful to the night-time economy or the viability of the centre.”
Most of the near-100-year-old art deco building, nestled between bookies Betfred and Paddy Power, has been empty since 2015 when furniture specialist E Marsh relocated – blaming long-running roadworks to pedestrianise Princess Street had pushed the business “past breaking point.”
The former upholsterers, which has been empty for years and has become an increasing eyesore, would be converted into new retail units with the planning application saying the space could be used for a cafe or offices.
A move to open a restaurant in the empty building was approved by the council in 2018 but the work was never carried out.
