Work begins to transform ex-pub

Long-awaited work has begun to build shops and flats on the site of a former Black Country pub more than a year after it was demolished.

Groundworkers are on site at the former George and Dragon in Princes End, Tipton.

They are preparing to turn it into four shops and six flats in a development costing nearly £900,000 to build. Property developer Harry Soomal said today work on the scheme had been delayed because he had tried and failed to get permission to build it half a storey higher.

The pub closed in 2006 and had been hit by fire before eventually being demolished at the end of 2007, when planning permission was granted.

Mr Soomal, who runs West Bromwich based HSS Properties Ltd said: "It is going to be four shops and six apartments.

"We have now started to build it to two storeys with dormer windows based on the original plans.

"The shops will be available for let and they can hold between 12 and 15 workers in each.

"We have four workers on site doing the groundworks and expect them to be done within the next week.

"We hope to have everything finished towards the end of the year."

Councillor Beatrice Owen, who represents Princes End for the Conservatives, said: "It has been at least two years since the George and Dragon was shut and 12 months since it was demolished.

"As with all pubs that get left it had suffered from vandalism.

"I'm delighted that work is finally starting. The area really needs some specialist shops, such as a cobbler.

"I only hope that the new units don't become takeaways as we already have a lot of those."

Opposite the George and Dragon the site of the former Lagoon pub is on the market for £375,000.

The Lagoon was demolished in December last year.