Wolverhampton's Faces nightclub to be demolished for new college building
The former Faces nightclub will be demolished to make way for a new multi-million pound city centre home for Wolverhampton College.
Under plans the landmark building, on the corner of Bilston Street and Garrick Street, will be reduced to rubble paving the way for the creation of a £50 million learning quarter for thousands of students and apprentices and creating up to 20 new jobs.
The nightspot was a well-known venue in the city and had previously been known as Oceana and Atlantis.
Prior to being a nightclub, the site was home to the Savoy and ABC cinemas until its demolition in 1995.
Once built the City of Wolverhampton College will move from its long-standing Paget Road base to the city centre site, which once used to house a cinema.
Ground-floor tenants Compton Care have agreed to move out of the building by March 31 to allow demolition works to begin in May with bosses expecting that to be finished next summer.
A collection of small, vacant buildings in the council’s ownership on St George’s Parade will also be demolished ahead of a full planning application being submitted for the City Learning Quarter development.
The development will see the college relocate its Paget Road activities there and will also encompass the college’s Metro One Campus, the council’s Adult Education Service and Central Library.
The council said there will also be investment in surrounding buildings as part of the work.
Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for city economy, said: “The City Learning Quarter will sit in a key city centre location and is part of how we are re-imagining our city centre. It will provide a huge facelift to that area.
“It is vital we improve the city’s learning, apprenticeship and employment offers to young people and adults.
"The City Learning Quarter will provide an inspirational environment for people to learn in and will offer excellent connectivity to the near-by railway station, bus station and tram stops.”
It is thought it will cater for up to 3,000 students and 1,200 apprenticeships – and 20 new jobs would also be created.
