Fly-tippers turn old Wolverhampton pub into an eyesore
A pub branded an 'eyesore' has become the site of fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and drug dealing, it is claimed.
The former Woodbine pub, Wood Lane, Bushbury, was closed in 2013 after attempts to regenerate the site were unsuccessful.
Since then it has become a haven for drug dealers, fly-tippers and yobs, according to a local councillor, who has called on owners Sonatex Ltd to improve security of the car park and the building.
Daniel Warren, Labour councillor for Bushbury North said he has tried to contact Sonatex for months to get them to sort out the site.
He said: "They are just a land asset company waiting for the best price to sell the land on. They have no interest in securing the site to make it safe for local residents and are not bothered about how much of an eyesore it has become.
"Last year, a disabled woman was scratched to the face after the unruly overgrown brambles along the site hit her.
"It got so bad that myself and my fellow councillors cut the branches back ourselves because we were getting no response from the company.
"We hope that by naming and shaming them it will give them the push to do something about it before it gets any worse."
The pub was once a thriving centre for the Bushbury area, a much-loved pub for local residents.
"It's such a shame" Councillor Warren added, "It's a shame to see it like this after how much it was loved in years gone by.
"It was the go-to pub in Bushbury at one time and that's what we want it to be."
Sonatex, who have a registered head office on Evington Road, Leicester, has three active directors: Srinivasa Thirumalai, Amarjit Singh Kullar and Harbinder Singh Kamboz.
The men are also shareholders in the company. They were unavailable for comment.
According to credit check sites, the company is recorded as having £707,000 in assets.
"My patience has gone over this," Councillor Warren said, "They clearly have no intention of doing anything to improve the site and we've all just had enough."
The pub spent a short period as the 'Red Rooster' before being closed and boarded up.
Councillor Warren added: "The council have issues six notices in the last two years about it.
"I myself have informed the police and they're aware of it."
