See inside former Express & Star building to be given new lease of life as all-purpose beauty centre
A site that's part of West Midlands journalism history is set to be given new life as an all-purpose beauty salon and wellbeing centre.
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The former Express & Star headquarters in the centre of Wolverhampton has laid dormant since staff and operations were moved out at the end of December, but the building beside Castle Street is undergoing a major transformation since being purchased by construction company BAX Construction.
The company, which is owned and run by Ben Anslow, has been busy redecorating and renovating the old staff room and canteen and a very large storage area at one end of the building as part of a grand plan to create a community 'safe space' and all-purpose beauty salon.
Since work began at the beginning of July, the main storage area has been cleared of debris and is being repainted, while the old canteen has had all the old furniture and the ceiling removed and new flooring and wall panels put in ahead of the new cafe and workspace being installed.
![](https://www.expressandstar.com/resizer/v2/LFQ2DBZJ4RC35PU4HGU7LCSQXY.jpg?auth=9296a0660c85848448d6e37c2d61bb29e9d1721f44fcc12e966cccff8d1f33e7&width=300&height=200)
Mr Anslow spoke about his vision for the place and what he had learnt about the building since taking it over.
He said: "My vision for it was to create a community space that was safe for women and men to attend and where everyone can get their beauty and grooming needs in one convenient space, and then I had the opportunity to acquire the attached building, which will be the cafe.