Offer accepted for the former Walsall police station
A developer has had an offer accepted on Walsall's police station, which has laid derelict for almost a year.
The six-storey building in the centre of the town had been valued at around £1million.
Commercial property agents KWB last night confirmed that an unconditional offer by a 'well-known developer' had been accepted by West Midlands Police.
The station had only been back on the market for eight weeks after a previous deal to buy the 36,500 sq ft site fell through.
The news has been welcomed by community leaders.
Town centre Councillor Aftab Nawaz said the town could not afford to have an 'empty office' of its size at its heart.
The former police station was first put up for sale in October last year.
It came after the force announced it was closing the site along with 26 others in a bid to save £3million a year.
Martin Cook, from KWB, said: "We have taken it off the market following an unconditional offer which has been accepted..
"A deposit has also been taken on the site.
"The party behind the offer is a well known developer. It is likely to be a mixed use scheme including offices."
He said Walsall Council has also been in discussions with the prospective site owner.
The former station boasts offices, gym, storage, kitchen, toilets and internal car parking.
The station is situated on the corner of Green Lane and Blue Lane East, next door to the town’s magistrates court.
Councillor Nawz said: "The first thing to say is that it is a shame the station closed, but I'm afraid that is the situation we are now in.
"I now welcome development that would mean more investment into the town centre.
"I want the police station to be used and to be used effectively.
"We can't afford an empty office at its current site."
The station has boarding around its base and first floor. Security fencing also surrounds it. The measures were taken following the closure to protect it from vandals.
