West Bromwich Building Society eyes relocation to Dudley

The West Brom Building Society is considering plans to move from its long-standing home of around 160 years and relocate to Dudley.

It follows talks on moving from its base in West Bromwich High Street.

The society had considered a new base at West Bromwich's £75million Providence Place development.

But bosses said the asking price was higher than anticipated and unveiled new plans to move to Dudley.

One location being considered is the Point North development, at The Waterfront, near the Merry Hill shopping centre, in a former base of banking company egg.

It is believed the move would be able to go ahead sooner than relocating to Providence Place, which could be completed in 14 months' time at the earliest.

The society has been in West Bromwich for 160 years. Bosses say its current home, in a 1970s block, is no longer fit for purpose or its future plans.

Chief executive Jonathan Westhoff said today: "We are looking at a few premises. Point North is one of them.

"We have to plan options, should we not get to the right place with our negotiations with Sandwell Council. We want to stay in the Black Country and, looking around the region, there aren't many suitable locations."