Former Imperial pub in Walsall town centre goes on the market
An iconic former town centre pub in Walsall has been put on the market for almost £100,000-a-year.
JD Wetherspoon closed the Imperial in March, despite having a lease on the Darwall Street drinking hole until 2047.
It has now been made available on a leasehold basis to rent for £92,500 a year.
Councillor Abdus Nazir, who represents the St. Matthews area, told of how Walsall had lost a lot of pubs in recent years but was open to the idea of the old Imperial opening up as something else other than a drinking venue.
He said: "Walsall has lost a lot of the 'drinker's pubs.' Everything is more upmarket now, there are more eateries and restaurants. The traditional old school pubs, 'the drinkers pubs,' as they are known, have been closing down first.
"It is a little bit a change of the times and the smoking ban, but it's the recession more than anything and beer prices in pubs going up.
"If it was reopened I would like to see something which is going to be of benefit to the community. It doesn't necessarily have to be a pub."
Fellow ward councillor Aftab Nawaz added: "It has been an important landmark in the town.
"It was an excellent venue in the heart of the town centre. It was quite a worry when it closed. The town has expanded and we need this side to remain vibrant.
"This side lost a bit of vibrancy and things have moved slightly towards the Waterfront.
"We want it to be used, whether that is a pub, club or something else I don't mind."
The historic building dates back to the 1860s and was rebuilt and reopened in 1887 as St. George's Hall.
JD Wetherspoon opened up the Imperial at the venue in 1997 before deciding to call time on it earlier this year.
Around 40 staff worked there, at the time, but they were relocated to other chains
