Former Sandwell Magistrates' Court building put up for sale
The former Sandwell Magistrates' Court site has been put up for sale - with the potential for redevelopment.
It closed in September last year, leaving the borough as the only one in the Black Country without a court of its type.
Thousands of cases had been heard there since it opened 27 years ago, but it is being shut down amid Government cost-cutting plans.
The one-acre site has now been put on the market as a Freehold building and site by commercial property agents GVA.
Sale documents state: "The building and site present a rare opportunity to acquire a significant freehold refurbishment or redevelopment opportunity in close proximity to Oldbury town centre. The buildings and site are suitable for a wide variety of alternative uses, subject to gaining the necessary consents."
West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson spoke of his dismay at the closure at the time, with Judicial cases from Sandwell being transferred to other regional courts, including Wolverhampton.
Mr Watson said: “The Government’s decision to close Sandwell has caused chaos. Many cases have been transferred to Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court and the facilities there cannot cope with the increased demand – there’s a real crisis."
