Black Country Bathams brewery to open new pub

Bathams will open a new venue in Hagley after snapping up two former office blocks.

The firm is famous in the Black Country for its real ales and the move will see it open its 11th pub in the region.

Work to convert the former Palladium House in Worcester Road is under way and it is hoped the new pub will open in September as the firm prepares to mark its 140th anniversary.

Bathams, based in Brierley Hill, bought the four-storey building believing it to be an ideal site for a new pub. A rear office building will be retained as an office suite.

The historic company currently has a chain of 10 pubs in the Black Country, Worcestershire and Staffordshire including The Vine Inn in Delph Road, better known locally as The Bull and Bladder.

Bathams is renown in the Black Country for its beer, with its venues often visited by connoisseurs.

Palladium House was previously used as consulting rooms for the next door Robinson and Sproson opticians.

Richard Saxton, from solicitors Higgs and Sons, said: “We acted for Bathams in acquiring the property as a speculative pub development, and naturally I am delighted to see the project now come to fruition.

“It is an excellent result in securing this prime site, and positive news in the current climate of pub closures. Everyone involved worked incredibly hard to ensure this outcome and what will be the delivery of another thriving business and focal point for the community.”

Katie Doyle, from the firm, added: “Bathams is a long-standing client of ours and we are pleased to have supported them with their new venture. The application for the new premises licence was submitted earlier this year and was granted following a licensing committee hearing following a number of representations.”

Matthew Batham, director of the firm, said: “Higgs and Sons has proved to be a long-standing champion of not only our business but our heritage, understanding the importance of our traditional background to our identity."