The council recognises the importance of this iconic building at the heart of the city centre as part of its transformative regeneration plans.

Planning permission was granted to private owners in 2021 for the redevelopment of parts of the former Beatties store and car park, and associated land between Darlington Street, Skinner Street, Victoria Street and School Street, to retain 6,809m² of commercial floorspace and develop 306 apartments.

The current owner, Eden Beatties, has stripped out the internal fittings and removed some structures but has failed to progress the scheme and the building is currently in poor condition.

The council’s vacant properties taskforce is taking enforcement action for non-compliance of a s215 notice requiring the owners to tidy the site.

The council is keen for the site to be brought back into use to provide new housing and commercial opportunities, enable the restoration of the locally listed heritage asset, act as a catalyst for further regeneration activity, enhance the conservation area it sits in, and resolve long standing issues of anti-social behaviour, dilapidation and blight on the surrounding area.

Agreement in principle to use CPO powers as a last resort, would provide a robust framework within which proactive and positive dialogue can continue with the current owners - and would offer certainty of regeneration within a reasonable timeframe.

The council is also commissioning a Development Delivery Strategy for the site in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Funded by the WMCA, subject to contract, the strategy will identify what needs to be done and the steps to be followed to acquire a development partner, should that be necessary. The development partner would progress and implement a regeneration scheme to restore Beatties.

Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “Senior council officers met with the current owners of the Beatties building recently and, on behalf of all Wulfrunians, expressed in no uncertain terms that the current state of the building is totally unacceptable.

“Eden Beatties have failed to comply with the council’s legally-binding clean up notice, missing deadline after deadline. Further legal action is likely to follow.

“We also stressed the urgency of seeing realistic and rapid plans to bring the building back to life with evidence that a credible and comprehensive funding package is capable of being developed.

“We stand ready to support credible plans but are also exploring all available options to bring the building back to life – and all the jobs, opportunities and investment that will bring with it.”

The council’s Cabinet will meet next Wednesday (March 18) to discuss the report.