Work starts on £5m care home at pub

The £5 million transformation of the site of a former landmark pub in Wolverhampton has started. Developers have unveiled how the site will look once the project is complete.

A glass-fronted care home is being created on the Prestwood Arms site, in Heath Town.

The pub, in Prestwood Road, was demolished after gaining a reputation as a hotspot for anti-social behaviour. The trouble culminated in gunshots being fired in the street last March.

Now residents and councillors are hoping the care home will help to transform the area.

The new 62-bedroom care home will create up to 60 jobs, and it is hoped that it will improve the area's reputation.

Councillor Milkinder Jaspal, who represents the ward, said: "The new artist impressions look wonderful, and they are certainly far better than the eyesore the pub had become.

"It's no secret the site had gained a reputation.

"The pub had shut and reopened more times than anyone can remember over the last 10 years," Councillor Jaspal added.

"But this will be a new and exciting chapter for the area.

"The developers have worked with residents, and they are even promising local job applicants will be looked on favourably, so it's a huge boost."

The centre, which is being built for Avery Healthcare, will be near New Cross Hospital.

It is being built for Avery Healthcare, and has been scheduled for completion next spring, with a possible opening date as early as next summer.

The firm already operates centres in Rugeley and Dudley.

The home is described as a "hotel with care" by developers Touch Properties and will specialise in providing respite, dementia and personal care.

John Strowbridge, managing director of Avery, said: "The site on Prestwood Road, so near to the hospital, was ideal for us.

"We can promise the people of Wolverhampton a care home operating to the best standards in Britain which they can be really proud of," he added.