Wolverhampton's iconic Beatties clock to get £88k makeover
‘The Beatties clock is one of Wolverhampton city centre’s most recognisable landmarks’
The Beatties clock on Victoria Street, Wolverhampton that was originally constructed in 1993 is set to get a £88,000 makeover through funding from the Government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund.
Located in front of the former site of the Beatties department store that has been empty since it closed in 2019 since House of Fraser closed.
The department store was originally opened by James Beattie in 1877 who had started a draper’s shop called Victoria Draper Supply Store at the site.
The clock’s original manufacturers, Smith of Derby, will carry out the works the much-needed repair works as over the past 33 years the clock has been worn down.
The clock’s head will be temporarily removed on November 22 and taken to a workshop where it will be fully restored before being returned to its current home once public realm improvement works are completed in that section of the city centre.
The Beatties family from which the clock gets its name have endorsed the plans.
Councillor Stephen Simkins said: “The Beatties clock is one of Wolverhampton city centre’s most recognisable landmarks - and holds a special place in the hearts of residents and visitors.
“We are delighted to have secured Pride in Place funding to enable these important restoration works and ensure this iconic feature can be enjoyed for many more years to come.
“It is fitting that the original manufacturers will carry out the refurbishment, ensuring an important part of our city’s heritage is preserved.”
In terms of the former department store’s future, Wolverhampton Council announced in September 2026 that it would start legal proceedings against the building’s owner as the former department store has been left derelict and is “a blight on the city centre”.
Though the company that owns the building disagrees, Hiten Raghwani, director of Eden (Beatties) Ltd said he had asked the council for an itemised list of what work it wanted doing, but the authority had not given one.
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.