Wetherspoon's to open new Hednesford town centre pub as part of £50m regeneration

Under proposals the vacant Anglesey Lodge in Anglesey Street will be converted into a new pub, creating a total of 19 full and part-time jobs.

It follows a £50 million regeneration of the town centre, which has seen the opening of a brand new 80,000sq ft Tesco superstore and new Aldi supermarket while the old Aquarius ballroom has been replaced.

Wetherspoon's says in opening the new 3,616sq ft watering hole it hopes to 'bring the heart back into Hednesford again, with meaning and vibrancy for the community'.

It also claims Anglesey Lodge, which boasted a bar, restaurant, hotel and concert room during the Second World War, was 'the first building of note in Hednesford town centre'. If granted the go-ahead, developers plan to completely overhaul the Grade II listed building into a restaurant and bar, ready to open its doors in 2015.

"Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, it will once again provide not only a heart for Hednesford, but indeed a community facility and meeting place for all right in the square of Hednesford," says the firm.

"It will also promote once again a town centre image and bring the epicentre of Hednesford away from the 'Tesco town' development and retain the historic heart of Hednesford in its true and present position."

The Anglesey – as it would be known – would also feature local history artwork and sculptures from local artists. Wetherspoon's bosses behind the scheme claim nearby residents will not be affected by the development, as screening will be put in place in front of the pub.

The flagpole used for Armistice Day at the clock tower in Hednesford will remain in place.

Leader of Cannock Chase Council George Adamson says while he has concerns about the noise affecting around the dozen homes behind the premises, it is 'really good news for the town'.

"This is part of the continuing expansion of Hednesford town centre," he said.

"It really is bucking the national trade – we've got businesses rushing into the town.

"The plans for a new pub are really great news for the town centre, but I'm concerned about any disturbance which could be caused to the houses to the back of the pub."