Wolverhampton's old Canal Club set for showroom transformation
A controversial city centre nightclub, near where Wolves fan Tom Kirwan was killed, is poised to be transformed into a new kitchen showroom.
Future Kitchen Designs Limited has submitted plans to Wolverhampton council to transform The Boatyard for the new business, bringing seven new jobs.
Mr Kirwan was killed outside the club, then called the Uberra club, four years ago at the age of 23.
The Broad Street site, also previously known as the Canal Club, is owned by Lord Deol, and has remained empty for some time following the stabbing July 2012.
In July this year, on the fourth anniversary of Mr Kirwan's death, his mother Emer demanded justice for her son, and said she would fight 'until the day I die' for the culprit to be caught.
A decision on the plans are expected next Tuesday at a Wolverhampton council planning committee meeting.
Jake Sedgemore, managing director of Stoneleigh Architectural, which has drawn up the plans for the site, said: "It's been a difficult site ever since the glory days of the Canal Club and it's been empty for a while now.
"A number of different uses have been considered for it. We even had people from the church express an interest in having a congregation there.
"It comes to pass that someone has earmarked it as a possible kitchen showroom.
"As of November and December, the council is pushing through positive regeneration for that area.
"There are likely to be a number of buildings which will have different uses. We're really hopeful that this will go through."
He added: "It's a Grade II listed building so there won't be any major changes to original features or structure.
"We're hoping that the council will continue to push to regenerate the area which would help give the new business a boost.
"We're hoping, subject to the planning application being successful, to be able to get the site ready for trading as swiftly as possible, maybe even as early as October. Certainly we'd be looking pre-Christmas."
The first floor of the building is already being used as a Hot Yoga venue.
Mr Kirwan was knifed after trouble broke out between two groups on July 8, 2012. More people arrived in cars and joined in, and Mr Kirwan was stabbed. He later died in hospital.
No-one has stood before a court charged with his murder, however five people were locked up for taking part in the trouble in 2014 after being found guilty of affray after a trial.
Following his death Tom's family launched a fundraising drive to build up a pot of cash to and a £15,000 reward is still available in the effort to find Mr Kirwan's killer.
His family put up £10,000, while Crimestoppers has added £5,000.
