Moving with the times? Debate flows over apartment plans for Wolverhampton Beatties

Developers SSYS Beatties Ltd announced their proposals to transform the historic former retail premises into a mix of retail units and living accommodation, while retaining the building's iconic frontage.

Hundreds responded to the news online, with many coming out in support of the plans and others voicing reservations.

Mike Jones said Wolverhampton needed to change to attract businesses to the city.

"The office blocks near the station are an example," he explained.

"If they can attract the businesses, hopefully the shops will get a boost. Fingers crossed.”

And Adam Dean agreed, saying: “Guess things have to change as we’re in the third decade of the 21st Century. You have to move with the times. We’re in the 2020s not the 1920s.”

Joanne Millington added: “I’m really glad to see the effort going in and the beloved, iconic building being lived in and preserved. The High Street is dying a death. It’s good to see some life being breathed into our city.

“I’m so weary of the urge to laugh and mock it. The city needs people living there and investment or else it will spiral into an even more neglected state than now.

“Look at other cities around the country that do well – they have a mix of apartments and retail to keep the place alive and thriving. This is our home. It’d be nice to see it grow into somewhere we can feel proud of. Change has to start somewhere, doesn’t it?”

Under the plans, a total of 306 homes will be created at the famous store and car park which was sold off last year.

The proposals will see the upper part of the building at the rear converted into the apartments whilst the lower part will be kept for retail purposes.

Sally Harper posted: “City centre living will be a positive for Wolverhampton.”

Diane Spencer said: “It struck me right away that it would be better used as living spaces. There are too many shops in Wolverhampton for the number of shoppers, hence many are empty. More mixed use will increase footfall and make it a much more pleasant place.”

Greg Spruce added: “High Street retail is dead and if it was left it would end up derelict and in disrepair.

“We need more homes and bringing people into the city centre to live will help. Hopefully the ground floor with have quality restaurants, bars and cafes independently owned.”

Deborah Cartwright said: “Far better to use existing city centre property for housing than building on our green belt.”

Should houses be built elsewhere?

However others disagreed, suggesting other areas of the city are better suited for development.

Mike Tolfree said: “Surely there is enough to develop on the outskirts away from the entertainment sector; similar to the Sunbeam development, the St John’s apartments and Albion Street. Not to mention the old hospital site that is perfect for residential city living.

“It’s where the profit is. But if only they could step back and rethink the decision. Turn it over to the arts, commercial office space. Let someone have a crack at opening a city centre business. Anything as long as we don’t lose its identity.”

And Philip Perry added: “What a truly terrible idea. When the residents complain about the noise from the pubs they will close them down and kill the live music scene in the city.

“The Giffard Arms is one such place that will most certainly suffer.”

Meanwhile Dimple O’Gorman said it was office space, not accommodation, that the city needed, adding: "There are plenty of run-down buildings around Wolves which could be converted into housing.”

The Victorian building was bought for £3 million last year after high street giant House of Fraser announced it would leave its Beatties home for the Mander Centre.

The famous Beatties name has been synonymous with Wolverhampton since the shop was launched by James Beattie in 1877.

It was taken over by House of Fraser in 2005 but the Beatties name remained on the building and many shoppers continued to refer to it under its historic name.

Martin Cartwright posted: “It was never going to be used as a department store so this is a good thing. Not much else is going to draw people into the city.”

Tracey Adams said: “I think its a good idea. The High Street is dying. At least this is putting the building to use instead of it being left to decay.”

Paul McMurtrie added: “This could reignite the high street. 300 more flats means more people looking to shop locally.”

Katier Scott said: “This plan gets people into the city centre, retains space for some commercial/retail units on the main floor that is practical for such things, and retains the historic elements of the building, just modifying the rear which is a modern structure anyway and also largely car park.

“Yet it’s a bad idea? Seems like a damned good idea to me – it gets people to live in the city centre so they will shop in the centre. And it retains a lovely architectural frontage.”

Rob Carrington posted: “It’s fantastic to see that the building will be redeveloped, and what’s more potentially generate some business in the city centre – utilising the ground floor and basement for retail units. Done sympathetically and keeping its original facade. Got to be considered a positive move.”

What about a hotel?

Meanwhile Councillor Paul Birch suggested the building be turned into an upmarket hotel.

“My belief is that Wolverhampton needs two prominent four-star hotels in the city centre, such as the Crowne Plaza and the Marriott," the Labour member for Blakenhall said.

“I suggested turning Beatties into a hotel a year ago. The Beatties Crowne Plaza would have been a great boost for Wolverhampton. I also think the Magistrates court building in North Street just around the corner would make a great opportunity for a hotel, such as a Courthouse.

“The city centre needs to reimagine its vision. As well as two good hotels, I think we need a conference centre, more high-quality restaurants, a health club and places where people can meet.

“When people come to large conferences they frequently want somewhere nearby to stay overnight, places to eat out. All these things would spark the night-time economy in the city centre.

“Since the Victorian Central Arcade burned down in the 1970s, I don’t think Wolverhampton has ever regained its charm,” he added.

“We want our city centre to have charm, character and vibrancy – and it can again if we invest in it ourselves.

“If you look at examples of 1960s and 70s architecture, a lot of it is terrible and needs pulling down. Yet, if you look at buildings from the 1930s and 40s, they’re the ones we want to keep.

“It’s all about design – we need buildings like that again. If we build it, the people will come,” said Councillor Birch.