Tesco West Bromwich | 144,236 sq ft | U/C

[oldbury63]

What would you like to be seen done with it Oldbury?

well sandwell council house is just feet away from it ,maybe they have not noticed the building and if sandwell council was to need another office what better than this 1883 building .
and if Apprenticeship builders need a project in sandwell part funded by who ever ? look no further

[BrummieInLondon]

Originally Posted by Benjyt

I want to know who is responsible for letting a listed building fall into this state of disrepair. Wasn't the whole point in listing buildings so they don't fall into a state like this.

What would you like to be seen done with it Oldbury?

I know the old Grammar school/Sandwell college (listed buildings) have been sold on but not sure what the plans are. The circa 1960's college on the High Street is going to be converted to flats (sorry apartments!) and offices as far as I am aware.

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2...mark-building/

This is how the site of a landmark West Bromwich building could look under plans which would see it transformed into a restaurant and luxury apartments.

Raj Lal, the owner of DR Developments in Birmingham, bought the Grade II listed Astle House in the town’s High Street after it failed to sell at auction. The landmark dates back to 1883.

And now he has revealed his plans for the building, which was originally the offices of historic printing and publishing group Kenrick & Jefferson.
Mr Lal’s preferred scheme is for a ground floor restaurant, with 14 luxury apartments above it. The entrance to the restaurant would front the Astle Outlet Park, if its owners agree. He would not reveal the cash he was preparing to invest into the venue but did admit it would be a “significant amount” as the building was severely water-damaged and infested with pigeons.

Mr Lal, who is also converting Handsworth’s Red Fort pub into a restaurant, said: “It has suffered 20 years of neglect and I want to breathe new life into it because it is a beautiful building.
“I want to turn it into a restaurant with luxury apartments above it. I am not prepared to say how much it would cost just yet.” He also hopes to restore the clock featured at the centre of the landmark’s roof.
Mr Lal has prepared three proposals, one of which would see two floors of business space created alongside seven apartments.
The second would mean one-and-a-half floors are dedicated to business with nine apartments.

But Mr Lal’s preferred option is for a ground floor restaurant and 14 luxury apartments above it. He added he was waiting to submit a planning application after holding discussions with planning chiefs and the owners of Astle Outlet Park.



Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2...#ixzz1yzxkoE9h

[Benjyt]

Thanks BrummieInLondon, I remember reading that article when it came out. I just can't see a restaurant wanting to take up space there though.

[BrummieInLondon]

Originally Posted by Benjyt

Thanks BrummieInLondon, I remember reading that article when it came out. I just can't see a restaurant wanting to take up space there though.

Well it would be fronting the High St I think rather than the car park of the retail park. It’s not that unusual to have restaurants on retail parks nowadays anyway.
Hope the guy is able to pull it off. West Brom severely lacks decent quality eateries. Got a few good restaurants outside of the centre such as Bellagio’s (highly recommended!). The council are keen to see it go ahead as they want to better the evening offer in town, especially as the pUBLIC is increasingly hosting theatre/comedy evenings and pulling in decent size crowds.

[Benjyt]

Originally Posted by BrummieInLondon

Well it would be fronting the High St I think rather than the car park of the retail park. It’s not that unusual to have restaurants on retail parks nowadays anyway.
Hope the guy is able to pull it off. West Brom severely lacks decent quality eateries. Got a few good restaurants outside of the centre such as Bellagio’s (highly recommended!). The council are keen to see it go ahead as they want to better the evening offer in town, especially as the pUBLIC is increasingly hosting theatre/comedy evenings and pulling in decent size crowds.

These designs (images 4 & 7) on their website show the main entrance fronting the retail park. I really hope whoever takes up the lease (if anyone) utilised the amazing entrance on the High Street frontage.

http://www.drdportfolio.com/?sale=the-red-building#

[DBadger]

Looks like the Drill Hall in Wolverhampton, which is similarly empty (but now becoming student flats...). Is that Pizza Express sign just an idea, or is it definately becoming one? They seem to do well with listed buildings. I know Wolverhampton council are approaching Pizza Express to try and get them into the city, maybe they could take both haha

Good use IMO.

[Benjyt]

Originally Posted by DBadger

Looks like the Drill Hall in Wolverhampton, which is similarly empty (but now becoming student flats...). Is that Pizza Express sign just an idea, or is it definately becoming one? They seem to do well with listed buildings. I know Wolverhampton council are approaching Pizza Express to try and get them into the city, maybe they could take both haha

Good use IMO.

It's just for design, I spoke to the landlord a while back. The landlord has given Bond Wolfe the responsibility and is open to ideas other than a restaurant.

Doubt Pizza Express would come to the town because Pizza Hut (poor sales) has recently closed and New Square has signed up Prezzo. There is also Bellagio down the road.

I think it will struggle for a resturant, its not going to be an indian as there is a brand new one (yet to open) next door. Chinese buffet possibly, Italian no see above. Harvester/Toby Carvery, again I doubt it because looking at the surrounding shops one of these type of places would really not fit in.

Best bet IMO would be a Wetherspoons, they love the historic/quirky buildings.

[Red Ape]

Just looking on the A41 Webcam, seems to be some activity on the site where the Petrol Station going to be.

Any idea if they are going to start building or are the just moving Earth for the hell of it?

[Benjyt]

Originally Posted by Red Ape

Just looking on the A41 Webcam, seems to be some activity on the site where the Petrol Station going to be.

Any idea if they are going to start building or are the just moving Earth for the hell of it?

The petrol station is not due open until March. I checked with Tesco last week.

I think they are missing an opportunity here, the area is badly lacking a petrol station. They could get it open by the beginning of August if they started this week.

[Red Ape]

Originally Posted by Benjyt

The petrol station is not due open until March. I checked with Tesco last week.

I think they are missing an opportunity here, the area is badly lacking a petrol station. They could get it open by the beginning of August if they started this week.

I think you are right, I would have liked to see the petrol station open as close as possible to the underpass being open.

Certainly a trick being missed as you say

[oldbury63]

july 2nd























the public has almost gone now from this angle ,
hello mrs smith

[sefton66]

Great pics as always Oldbury Thanks for the update

regarding the petrol station, must be a reason, Tesco wouldn't miss an opportunity to make more revenue, maybe something to do with access, or temporary storage?

[Benjyt]

Originally Posted by sefton66

Great pics as always Oldbury Thanks for the update

regarding the petrol station, must be a reason, Tesco wouldn't miss an opportunity to make more revenue, maybe something to do with access, or temporary storage?

Just drove past the hotel/petrol station site. It looks completely empty inside and there's just one or two workers milling about.

[oldbury63]

it reminds me of a ship !







more glass








they are still working to keep this subway , just buffing it up a bit rather than make a new one .

[ReissOmari]

Went past it today, those blue fins are quite a statement!

[Nacho]

Looking closer it appears that they will be lit at night ; quite a beacon .

[sefton66]

thanks for the update again Oldbury

coming along really nicely now, so glad the blank wall at the back has been clad in the wood rather than left as bare sheet metal

[Benjyt]

FAO Oldbury

That subway is going isn't it? It is getting demolished in this picture.

The digger is sitting in what was the underpass.



According to these plans it is being replaced with escalators.

[Red Ape]

With the outside nearly completed It makes me wonder if Sainsbury's will be open for Xmas 2012?? They certainly don't mess around thowing these supermarkets up, I suppose they have good practice

On the Webcam Benjyt this morning there's a crane at the subway but I can't see if it's putting something in or taking it out.

Great photo's Oldbury, keep em coming the webcam doesn't show everything. Anyone know what's being currently built on the new ringways side of sainsbury? I was there yesterday & I could see some scaffold, but hadn't got time to stop only having a minute left on my parking ticket

[Benjyt]

Originally Posted by Red Ape

With the outside nearly completed It makes me wonder if Sainsbury's will be open for Xmas 2012?? They certainly don't mess around thowing these supermarkets up, I suppose they have good practice

On the Webcam Benjyt this morning there's a crane at the subway but I can't see if it's putting something in or taking it out.

Great photo's Oldbury, keep em coming the webcam doesn't show everything. Anyone know what's being currently built on the new ringways side of sainsbury? I was there yesterday & I could see some scaffold, but hadn't got time to stop only having a minute left on my parking ticket

It's Tesco Redape

This is now officially a one phase development but like you say the Tesco is almost complete yet they haven't even started on Primark.

I can't think of where you mean with the scaffolding?