Art centre plans for old Wolverhampton pub

The Asylum Art Gallery could move into the White Hart building in Worcester Street if the proposal is given the go-ahead by Wolverhampton Council planners.

A studio and exhibition space would be featured on the ground floor arts centre while five flats will created on the two floors above.

Last year, applicants Harrisons Group submitted plans for seven apartments to be created in the locally listed pub but this was rejected over concerns about a loss of a community facility.

The White Hart closed in 2019 and efforts to market it proved unsuccessful.

In the application, agents AJ Carter Consulting said: “The interest from the Art Asylum Gallery is a much more viable re-use of the premises.

“Indeed it would bring a new community facility into the city centre which would in part off-set the perceived policy loss of the public house as community meeting place.

“It’s clear from the ongoing marketing period there is no longer an economic demand for the building to continue as a public house.

“The city centre location provides for numerous alternative public houses, and community centres, within a reasonable walking distance.

“The displaced community activities following the closure of the White Hart Inn will have been comfortably accommodated elsewhere in the city centre.

“Keeping the locally listed building vacant in the hope that a new pub operator may take on the premises would be a rather limiting approach to seeking a viable use of the heritage asset.

“The space would be used by a local arts community groups providing a location for local youth artists to commune and to showcase their work.

“It would act as a local meeting area for the artists and public/community to meet (including small performance spaces), the premises would also provide some office desk space in a flexible working environment.

“The organisation currently have three locations within Wolverhampton, on School Street, on Clifton Street in Chapel Ash, and on Darlington Street.”