A historic Grade II listed building in Dudley town centre, once home to the town’s general post office, is at risk of demolition due to prolonged neglect, according to former Dudley mayor and councillor David Stanley.
Located on Wolverhampton Street, this former post office has stood empty and neglected for years, sparking concern about its deteriorating condition. At the Housing and Assets Scrutiny Committee meeting in November, Cllr Stanley emphasized the urgent need for intervention to preserve the building and revitalize the town centre.
“We do have a difficulty with the old general post office,” Cllr Stanley stated. “The owner apparently lives abroad, possibly in Australia, and progress has stalled. It is a great shame that a building of such historical and architectural significance has been allowed to fall into disrepair. If this continues, demolition may become the only option.”
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Built in 1909, the building is recognized for its special architectural and historical interest. It was placed on the market in 2017 with planning permission for 21 flats and a guide price of £525,000 but never saw redevelopment. Before that, the building was known as the Nulla Nulla nightclub about a decade ago.
Cllr Stanley also urged fellow councillors, including Adam Davies, Conservative committee chairman for Brierley Hill, to prioritize efforts to revitalize Dudley town centre. “While enhancing Brierley Hill is important, I am equally committed to restoring Dudley. Currently, ongoing works and vacant properties discourage visitors. We must make Dudley town centre more appealing and encourage community use.”
He further stressed the authority’s responsibility to ensure that any publicly owned properties do not remain unused and become liabilities, emphasizing the need for proactive management to bring buildings back into productive use.
In response, Iain Wallace, Dudley’s associate director of acquisitions, compliance, and maintenance, assured the committee that he would provide a thorough report addressing these concerns and potential solutions at a future meeting.