Costa Coffee plan for Wolverhampton sports club
A new drive-thru Costa Coffee could be opened at a struggling private Wolverhampton sports club, if planners give the green light to proposals.
Wolverhampton Council has received a planning application for the new coffee shop to be built next to the members-only Forty Four Club on the corner of Spring Road and Birmingham New Road.
Applicants Deeley Properties and the Forty Four Club want to create the drive-thru facility along with more than 30 parking spaces on the disused, vacant piece of land on the site.
The overall complex features a rifle and pistol shooting range, crown green bowling as well as facilities for snooker, darts and dominoes.
In their application, they said the new Costa would be a welcome addition to the area while sale of the land for the new shop would help the financially struggling Forty Four Club make much-needed improvements to its building and safeguard it’s future.
The planning statement said: “The Forty Four Club and its members fully endorse the proposed development.
“It is intended that the finances generated through the sale of the land will be re-invested into the running and refurbishment of the existing club, meaning that the recreational and sporting functions can continue to operate, thereby protecting and enhancing the facility for the future.
“In 2018 the trading of the club made a loss of £2,914. In addition, for the 2019 year-to-date there is an excess of expenditure over income of £6,279.
“By the end of 2019, the club will have no financial reserves at all. In addition, taking into account the amount of outstanding brewery loan, without the finances raised by the development of this site, the club would become insolvent.
“Whilst it is acknowledged that the long term future of the club cannot be guaranteed by this cash injection, the development will help to bring the facilities up to a standard that will increase its appeal as a venue for functions and recreational pursuits and assist in boosting the profile of The Forty Four Club by attracting additional patronage.”
Wolverhampton Council planners will make a decision on the proposal in the coming months.
