Pub popular with West Brom fans urgently closed due to risk of ‘total collapse’
A run-down Smethwick pub frequented by Baggies fans is at risk of ‘total collapse’ causing danger to drinkers inside – and has been urgently shut while chiefs discuss the building’s fate.
Waggon and Horses has been fenced off after an inspection in August revealed the pub will reach a state of ‘accelerated deterioration’ and was a health and safety risk for individuals using footpaths to Cambridge Road and Lewisham Road.
The pub had been subject to a three month closure order to prevent “further serious nuisance” of the building’s deterioration to members of the public, served upon the first respondent Kashmir Kaur, on August 10 by Sandwell Council.
The building was then closed on August 11 after the closure order was granted.
An order, under Section 78 of the Building Act 1984, was originally served to the premises in July 2018.
The order, served on the grounds the building was “structurally unsound and dangerous”, presents an “ongoing risk to patrons, occupants, and to members of the public”.
Philip Holloway, lead engineer within Sandwell Council’s urban design and building services department, undertook several inspections. His most recent, dated August 5, noted the pub will reach a state of “accelerated deterioration” with a risk of “sudden partial or total collapse”, and was a health and safety risk for individuals using footpaths.
The order further states: “The respondents have done all but nothing to address the problems and the risks to members of the public have increased as the premises has been allowed to become increasingly dilapidated.”
In a briefing paper dated January 2020, West Midlands Fire Service noted the building may have already been in “dangerous condition”.
According to separate documents, officers had been met with “aggression and abuse”, and access to carry out inspections to the premises had been refused or delayed enough to necessitate a warrant.
Officers attempted to carry out a licencing compliance visit on May 28, which was put on hold after the premises licence holder sent an email stating he was “not available for the compliance visit”.
According to the committee report, the premises were identified as a nuisance to the public because of their poor structural condition following a survey of the premises under warrant powers on the July 22. A risk of collapse was identified causing a safety threat to those within.
The meeting has been adjourned for 10 days, with the next meeting for the closure notice to be held on September 8.
