Dudley's former JJB Sports to become a chippie

The transformation of a former sports store in a Black Country town centre into a 100-seat fish and chip restaurant, creating 10 jobs, has been approved.

But the redevelopment of the old JJB Sports store, in High Street, Dudley could be held up after officials insisted intricate art deco decorations are revamped.

Finding extra cash to restore the decorations on the building's frontage will hold up the scheme, site owner George Charalambous said today.

He added he remained hopeful work could start "by the end of the year".

Dudley Council's planning department has passed proposals for the restaurant but imposed strict conditions on the site as it falls within the Dudley town centre conservation area.

Mr Charalambous said conversion costs for the building had been estimated at £200,000. Another £30,000 will be needed to do the work on the restoration of the art deco facade.

In a report presented to director of urban environment John Millar, planning officers state the shop's old roller shutter must be removed and casement-style hinged windows fitted.

Detailed drawings of works to the white fascia will have to be submitted to Dudley Council to make sure they are in keeping with the building.

Mr Charalambous said: "I just want to get cracking but all this is just going to take up more time. We are currently looking at whether there are grants that we can use to help fund the work because that is extra money I'll have to find otherwise. We are still hopeful that if we do everything then work can start by the end of the year."

The businessman has owned the sports store, which shut almost two years ago, for around eight years and has fish and chip restaurants in his native Leicestershire.

Dudley Council had refused a previous planning application on the site in March in order to protect the building's traditional 1930s art deco frontage.