Vacant historic pub put up for sale

A historic Black Country pub which has been vacant for over a year has been put up for sale for £185,000.

The Crown and Anchor, West Bromwich Street, Caldmore, Walsall, has been put on the market freehold with estate agent Fleurets.

The pub, which is in an area of 1960s high-rise buildings, was added to a protected list of buildings in Walsall by the council in October 2006.

Its inclusion on the list of Buildings and Local Architectural and Historic Interest gives it a degree of protection when planning applications are made.

Demolition of such properties would not normally get council backing and extensions are expected to be more sensitive. It is being marketed as a pub in a "prominent position on a busy road" and is described as a detached three-storey building with an external beer garden to the rear along with a separate self-contained yard.

Caldmore resident Alan Cheeseman, co-ordinator of the first Caldmore Village Festival this summer, said that the pub could do with a revamp.

He said: "There is a skip in the back yard at the moment which spills out onto the pavement, which isn't great.

"I think if someone put some effort into rejuvenating it, it could attract a clientele."

But he added: "It has got competition with the White Lion pub nearby."

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) included the Crown and Anchor on its list of ten traditional pubs lost to Walsall over the last year in January this year.

Others include The Crown, Leamore, which was once home to the William Bird brewery, and the former Gala Bingo, Anchor Road, Aldridge, which could become home to a supermarket according to its new owners.

The Lion in Upper Lichfield Street has now become a Domino's.

A premises licence for the sale of alcohol is still valid on the property between the hours of 10am and 1am Monday to Thursday, 10am-2am Fridays and Saturdays and 10am-12.30am on Sundays.