Plans for bed & breakfast above Cradley Heath social club approved to ‘save it from jeopardy'
Plans to build a bed and breakfast above a social club to ‘save it from jeopardy’ have been approved.
Sandwell Council has given the green light to convert a first-floor function room at Cradley Heath Sports and Social Club in Upper High Street, Cradley Heath, into a 23-room B&B.
The planning application by owners Westbourne Leisure said the club, which opened in 2005, is in “real jeopardy” without “significant investment to create new revenue streams.”
The club’s existing lounge bar, games room and ground floor function room will also be refurbished as part of the work.
The planning application said the club’s 130-capacity first-floor function room and dining room did not make enough money to justify using them and currently sit empty.
The plans were slightly redrawn after submission with a reception and dining room for up to 43 guests added to the layout.
Approving the application, Sandwell Council’s planners said: “The development would be contained within the existing first-floor space and would involve only minor external alterations to the building.
“Given the nature and scale of the proposed bed and breakfast use, the location of the building within a mixed-use area, and the fact that the existing first floor contains a large function room capable of hosting a significant number of patrons, it is not considered that the proposal would result in unacceptable levels of noise or disturbance to neighbouring properties.
“The scale of the proposed accommodation is relatively small and would not be expected to generate significant traffic movements beyond those already associated with the existing social club.
“The proposed change of use of the first-floor function room to bed and breakfast accommodation represents an appropriate reuse of existing floorspace.”
A statement included with the application said: “Social and working men’s clubs have changed significantly since their original conception and as such so have the requirements of the current customer base.
“Currently [the club] has a lounge, a games room, and a ground floor function room together with a first-floor function room and a large dining room which are no longer used.
“The function room and the bars do not currently generate sufficient income to justify the operation and to maintain such a large local facility, additional facilities were necessary to create a viable business model.
“The bar trade is ultimately the sole source of income for the club and the business is in real jeopardy without significant investment to create new revenue streams such as overnight accommodation.
“The new accommodation will serve to underpin the enterprise, particularly during the week when customer numbers are lower.
“The overnight accommodation is intended to cater for travelling businesspeople or workers during the week.”
