Historic building for sale with £1.2m price tag

The former home of an historic Black Country saddle-making firm to royalty has been put on the market with a £1.2 million price tag.

Jabez Cliff & Co was based at the site in Walsall from 1910 before it moved to a new home in Aldridge in June last year. The building could become an hotel or housing development.

The property in Lower Forster Street measures more than 38,500 sq ft.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "That is a prime development site sitting at the gateway to the town so we want something of high quality there whether it is a refurbishment or a new building.

"If it is a new building it would have to be an iconic building. It is a fantastic opportunity for someone to come in and do something special in Walsall."

The building, empty since Jabez Cliff moved out more than a year ago, sits on the edge of a stretch of land running through the town which has been earmarked for development as part of a £400m regeneration project.

The Gigaport development includes plans for new offices, hotels and leisure facilities all hooked up to high speed internet.

Fibre optic cables have already been laid underground and the development is taking shape, with Walsall Housing Group (WHG) currently building its new £7m headquarters in Littleton Street East, which will house 300 employees.

Councillor Andrew added: "That corridor represents the future of Walsall".

The building has been put up for sale with Fraser Wood chartered surveyors. Its website claims the site could be brought back into use as an hotel, medical centre or a residential development.

Jabez Cliff holds a Royal Warrant to supply the Queen. The company makes saddles for the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery and The Household Cavalry.