The derelict buildings in Willenhall set to be transformed

Plans to transform a forgotten corner of Willenhall have been given the green light, marking the dawn of a new era for a town once brimming with industrial vitality.

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

The derelict buildings along Moat Street, Temple Bar, Cemetery Road, Villiers Street, and New Hall Street are set to be replaced with 58 houses, 48 apartments and new areas of public space.

22 photos of Moat St, Temple Bar, Cemetery Rd, Villiers St and New Hall St Willenhall, walsall in July 2024 as outline planning permission granted

These streets which were once bustling with industry have fallen victim to decay, arson, and neglect.

Last year, Moat Street was chosen by BBC film crews looking for a backdrop resembling The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Only last week a fire broke out leading to the collapse of a derelict Moat Street factory.

As the community looks ahead to a brighter future, vice chairman of the Willenhall History Society Ralph Jackson takes us on a walk through the streets set to change.

The 81-year-old worked as a locksmith all his life trading under RJ Locks. He remembers when this part of Willenhall was a ‘hive of activity’.

The iconic blue and white Colonial works, running along Moat Street, was home to J. Legge lockmakers. At the other end of Moat Street, on the junction with Cemetery Road, was Cartwright’s Printers in the late 40s early 50s.

Also on the same road was Hold Fast Works, run by the Pinson’s family, Morgan’s lock makers, Humphrey and J. Fox, later becoming Century Works, and Samuel Baker’s Moat Street works.

Also on Moat Street was a wooden building used by the Salvation Army. Ralph remembers the building being burnt down in 1959. Three retro fuel pumps are still in place at the Moat Street Garage. The site had been used as a car wash until recently. Now it remains vacant.

Onto Cemetery Road, Ralph remembers David Beard’s lock firm and Union lock works. Ralph said: “They used to keep their brown and cream lorries there. They were brown with cream writing.”

Onto New Hall Street from Cemetery Road, there’s a handful of terraced houses. Next to them is the decaying New Hall Locks building, Anslow’s lock works. Further down New Hall Street was the Hollybush pub, demolished in the 1970s.

Ralph is in favour of the new development and hopes he’ll see it through during his lifetime.

He said: “It wants fetching down now, the lot does. I only hope I live to see it done to be quite honest.”