Committee approves new grill at empty vandalised Wolverhampton pub
An empty vandalised pub will re-open as a new Indian bar and grill after plans were backed by councillors.
City of Wolverhampton Council’s planning committee approved an application to re-open the former Royal Oak pub in New Street, Portobello, Wolverhampton, alongside three new one-bed flats, at a meeting today (January 20).
A ruling was deferred by councillors last September after it was discovered part of the pub had already been converted into seven flats without permission.
The pub, on the border of Wolverhampton and Willenhall, has been closed since 2022 and has attracted fly-tipping, rats and vandalism while empty.
Cllr Robert Maddox, who grew up living near the pub, said it was sad to see it in its current state.
He said the re-opened Royal Oak would be looking to emulate other desi grills such as the Firs in Castlecroft and the Pendulum in Pendeford – both owned by the VR Group alongside other desi pubs in Tipton, Oldbury and West Bromwich as well as Lichfield and Telford.
“They are both successful businesses that contribute hugely to the area and community they are in,” Cllr Maddox said at the meeting.
“It is a big, big community benefit.”
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Cllr Ben Evans said he had been concerned by the earlier HMO and retrospective flats plans but felt it was “great to see a pub re-opening.”
Vice chair Cllr Alan Butt added the refurbished pub sounded like it would be a “place to enjoy” in the future.
Ahead of last year’s meeting, the council’s planning officers found during a visit that the pub’s first floor, which was due to be converted into a five-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) had already been converted into seven self-contained flats.
The applicant Bye To Let Ltd said the already completed work and changes to the application would form amended plans and asked to meet to discuss the proposals at a later date.
As a result, a decision on the application was deferred and the application amended.
The application said a 15-year lease had been signed to convert the pub into an Indian bar and grill and the flats would be privately let.
The first-floor flats were “essential to ensure the pub’s financial viability,” it added.
A report by the council’s planning officers recommended the application by Kuldip Singh Bansal from Manchester-based Bye to Let Ltd should be approved.
“The proposals would bring the Royal Oak public house, a valued community facility and locally listed building, back into use after being vacant since 2022 and subject to anti-social behaviour,” it said.
“The proposed single-storey extensions are modest and in keeping with the building’s character and surroundings.
“The amended proposal for three first-floor apartments provides satisfactory living conditions, complies with national minimum space standards, and is unlikely to cause unacceptable impacts on neighbour amenity or contribute significantly to crime or antisocial behaviour.”
The planning application had originally included a hand car wash but was later scrapped.
Objections were also received against the plan over a potential HMO.
The objections said the former pub had attracted “graffiti, vermin and fly-tipping” and was an eyesore.
