It comes as the council continues to work on a Development Delivery Strategy - funded and co-developed by the West Midlands Combined Authority – to find a viable route to unlock redevelopment and secure a deliverable scheme that brings the landmark building back into active use for the benefit of the city.

The council is keen for the site to be brought back into use as part of its transformational Our Future City Centre Plan – but in the short-term is seeking to take the owners to task for non-compliance of the section 215 notice and letting the building become dilapidated and a blight on the city centre.

Restoration and redevelopment of the locally listed heritage asset in the long term could provide new housing and commercial opportunities, act as a catalyst for further regeneration activity, and enhance the conservation area it sits in.

Earlier this year the council’s Cabinet agreed in principle to consider a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of the site as a last resort to bring about its regeneration.

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

Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, said: “We have given the owners of Beatties ample opportunity to comply with the legally-binding clean up notice.

“They have missed deadline after deadline and enough is enough - the current state of the building is totally unacceptable.

“I also want to recognise the frustration felt by residents and us all regarding the lack of visible progress in developing the Beatties site.

“It is an iconic landmark in our city and we have stressed to the owners the urgency of seeing realistic and rapid plans to bring it 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, including using CPO powers as a last resort, to bring the building back to life – and all the jobs, opportunities and investment that will bring with it.”