Plans have been submitted to Sandwell Council for the creation of a private members’ club in Grand House, Popes Lane, Oldbury, following the rejection of a proposal to open a museum dedicated to the Windrush generation at the same location.
The new application details the establishment of a club featuring a lounge, bar, and dining room, intended for pre-booked functions operating daily from 7pm to 2am. The proposed venue would accommodate up to 80 people, including five staff members.
Last year, Sandwell Council refused permission for a new exhibition space and learning centre focused on the Windrush generation, citing concerns about the suitability of the site and its designated use. The council stated that the area is reserved for industrial and employment purposes and highlighted a lack of sufficient parking facilities as a key issue.
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According to the recent application, the conversion to a private club involves minimal changes, maintaining existing entrances, adding an accessible unisex toilet, and secure staff cycle storage. The proposal emphasises that no external activities will take place, and logistics such as deliveries and waste collection will be managed to avoid obstructing neighbouring industrial access.
The statement accompanying the new plans reads: “There is no loss of an operational or lawful protected employment use, no removal of an industrial plot or yard, and no physical sterilisation. The proposal creates employment and activates vacant premises in a controlled evening period.”
The earlier museum concept featured unique exhibits, including a recreated 1960s living room and a vintage analogue recording studio, alongside permanent and loaned exhibitions reflecting the experiences of the Windrush generation-Caribbean migrants who arrived in the UK between the late 1940s and early 1970s. Notably, the museum planned to provide specialised facilities aimed at supporting individuals living with dementia, addressing a significant community need.
However, planning officers at Sandwell Council opposed the museum, stating that the proposal was incompatible with the area’s industrial designation and would undermine its employment allocation. The officers also criticised the lack of sufficient off-street parking and cycle storage, warning that the reliance on on-street parking could compromise highway safety due to the absence of a coherent parking and transport strategy.
As the site moves towards a potential new chapter as a private members’ club, discussions continue on balancing the preservation of industrial land with community and cultural development in Oldbury.