Eyesore former Wolverhampton pub site acquired by developer

The Bagot Arms pub, on Newhampton Road West, Whitmore Reans, closed after father-of-two Luke Harris was fatally shot there in 2008 and has lain empty since.

Planning permission was granted by Wolverhampton Council in 2023 for a mixed use development of eight ground floor retail units and three first floor, one-bedroom residential flats but the 0.47-acre overgrown site has remained undeveloped.

It was reported in December 2025 that the council was going to use compulsory purchase powers to buy the site to utilise it for affordable housing as, according to a council cabinet report, there was "no clear sign" of work starting.

This week, however, it has been confirmed that the eyesore site has been sold to a private developer - based locally in Wolverhampton.

Martin Zaki, who handled the sale for Towler Shaw Roberts, said: “The property provides an attractive conversion/development opportunity with its prominent roadside location.

“It's considered suitable for a range of alternative uses, subject to planning, whilst having the benefit of existing planning permission in place for a significant mixed residential/commercial development to be built.

“The sale to a local developer now provides the opportunity for the property, which fronts the busy Newhampton Road West, to be regenerated, so it’s good news for the area.

”The former pub’s location at 413 Newhampton Road West benefits from direct access to Wolverhampton city centre and the main A41 Tettenhall Road, directly linking to Junction 3 of the M54 motorway."

Wolverhampton Council confirmed it has not purchased the site and a spokesperson said of the sale: "We are always keen to work with the owners of vacant properties to encourage them to reuse their buildings.

“We have been contacted by the new owner’s agent. We understand they wish to progress building works on site and are currently exploring their options.”