Work begins on multi-million pound Marston's rebuild

The firm's Chapel Ash home is being torn down in a revamp set to last 11 months.

Demolition begins on Monday and will see the four-storey 1960s office block partly demolished and then rebuilt.

A bulldozer is being brought in to take the building down.

The company's chief executive said the move would ensure Marston's remains in Wolverhampton for 'years to come'.

Contractor Carter Lauren has been appointed to carry out the extensive project.

Up to 500 of the firm's employees are currently housed in temporary accommodation at nearby Coniston House and are set to move into the new Marston's House in February 2016.

Ralph Findlay, chief executive of the beer and pubs group, said: "We are excited to begin construction on what is a landmark project for our business and this also cements our place in the city of Wolverhampton for years to come.

"The start of construction marks a new phase of Marston's House and also signifies a crucial step in future proofing our place as one of the country's leading pub retailers and brewers.

"We take our role as a prominent local employer seriously; we have a diverse workforce and the changing face of Marston's House will ensure that working for Marston's remains an exciting career proposition for anyone."

Coniston House was home of the Wolverhampton Patient Care Trust (PCT) until it was abolished in 2013.

It was replaced by Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group which is based at Wolverhampton Science Park.

The office workers are part of the company's 1,100-strong workforce at Chapel Ash, where Marston's brews ales including Banks's and runs its fleet of dray lorries supplying its 1,700 pubs around the UK.

Marston's team manager Tina Gillett has been with the firm for 34 years. She added: "I've seen Marston's evolve over the years and I'd have to say that the team spirit is a key factor in keeping me here for that time – it's great to be selected to represent the team today."