The Dog and Partridge pub in Broad Street, Bilston, which has stood empty since its permanent closure in 2020, could be demolished to make way for new housing. The proposal, submitted by Sukhwinder Singh of RSS Property, outlines the construction of three-storey townhouses on the site.
The pub closed after a horrific knife attack occurred during a beach-themed event in 2019. A 34-year-old woman sustained serious injuries, including a fractured skull and slash wounds to her face and back. The incident also involved a mass brawl, with armed police attending following a firearm discharge.
Karlene Muschette, 38, from Hartill Street, Willenhall, was subsequently sentenced to nine years in prison for the attack. The violence at the event, which the pub had hosted despite being denied a licence, led to increased scrutiny of the venue.
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The planning application submitted to the City of Wolverhampton Council proposes replacing not only the pub building but also its former car park and beer garden with eight four-bedroom homes facing Broad Street and Alice Street.
According to the application, the pub’s trade had significantly declined over time, partly due to repeated refusals for event licences amid noise complaints and reports of anti-social behaviour. The Dog and Partridge has remained boarded up since its closure.
In 2019, the City of Wolverhampton Council revoked the pub’s licence following a hearing that reviewed evidence of numerous disturbances linked to the establishment. This action came after magistrates had already imposed a three-month closure order. The pub’s landlord had voluntarily surrendered the licence shortly after the cleaver attack.
Court proceedings revealed that the violent outbreak stemmed from tensions between two groups during the 2019 event. Muschette admitted to attacking the victim in the context of an ongoing social media dispute, wielding a meat cleaver after the victim attempted to defend herself.
The redevelopment plans reflect a move to repurpose the site after years of challenges and safety concerns associated with the former pub.