Work aims to get Wolverhampton's Goodyear clock ticking once again

The 67ft clock tower is one of the last remnants of the former Goodyear site in Wolverhampton. And it is believed the clock itself has not worked in almost 40 years. But now experts have been called in to try and get it telling the time once again.

The tower has been covered in scaffolding and protective sheeting this week but residents have been assured the building is not going anywhere.

Instead it is being prepared for restoration by builders Persimmon Homes as part of the redevelopment of the site that was once home to hundreds of workers.

It is all that is left of the Goodyear tyre factory, once one of the city’s major employers. The factory closed in 2017 after more than 90 years and since then housebuilder Persimmon has built 361 homes at its Akron Gate development there.

Stephen Cleveley, managing director of Persimmon Homes West Midlands, which has its office in the city, said: “The name Goodyear symbolises the company’s major contribution to the social and economic life of Wolverhampton.

“We are in our final phase of the development, named The Clock Tower @ Akron Gate and are proud to be the temporary custodian of this former factory site which provided employment for so many generations.”

Originally built as a water tower supplying the factory’s manufacturing department, the restoration works will see the four-storey building undergo structural work including brick replacement, re-pointing, rendering as well as details lead work on the pagoda roof.

Mr Cleveley added: “We are working with a horologist who is replacing and repairing the clock’s mechanism so it can be fully functional again, after what we are led to believe is close to 40 years.”

The tower is being restored by a team from Hampshire Demolition and Recycling from Stratford-upon-Avon led by project manager Mitchel Oakes.

Work on the homes on the 96-acre site off the Stafford Road began in 2012 and it has formed a vital part in the city’s regeneration plans. The current and final Clock Tower phase features 118 homes.

The tower, which has been awarded blue plaque status by Wolverhampton’s Civic and Historical Society, will act as a focal point for the development.

Located near to the Aldi supermarket, the tower will be surrounded by hard landscaped open space featuring benches and an interpretation board, so residents and admirers can understand and appreciate Goodyear’s impact on the city.

The refurbishment work is anticipated to be completed later this year. The tower’s upper two levels are red brick with the clock faces at the fourth level. The building still contains the water tank and a shower room that was used by workers.

Preservation of the landmark will ensures it is a reminder of the part Goodyear played in Wolverhampton for almost a century.