Banks's closure is sad news - but it could also be a new opportunity for Wolverhampton, says mayor Parker

The Mayor for the West Midlands says the closure of Banks's Brewery could mark the start of a new chapter in Wolverhampton's history.

Writing exclusively for the Express & Star, Richard Parker gave his backing to our Back Our Breweries campaign, saying it was vital that people supported industries which were not only vital to our heritage, but to our economy too. 

It was announced last month that Banks's Park Brewery, in Chapel Ash, would close at the end of next year 150 years since it opened in 1875. 

Mr Parker said the closure would be a major blow to the city, and particularly the people who worked there. But he said he would work closely with the Danish-owned brewing giant to ensure that the closure was managed smoothly, and that the workers would be looked after.

He said he was also in talks with the company about the future of the site, insisting he would do all he could to ensure the building did not go to waste or become an eyesore.

"I’ve committed to work hand in hand with the brewery, the council and local education providers to ensure we help workers transition into new jobs and careers," said Mr Parker.

"That focus will be on supporting and 'up-skilling', making sure those who want to continue working are part of the Black Country’s future. Anyone who wants it, will have access to training and support."

Mr Parker said he had met with Carlsberg-Marston's executives, and asked them to work with him to find a suitable buyer for the site, rather than just sell to the highest bidder who may sit on the land for decades.

"The redevelopment of the site can create new jobs and boost the local economy, transforming it into a place that serves the needs of the community in the years to come," he said.

"We must ensure that the closure of Banks’s Brewery is not the end of a story but the beginning of a new chapter for Wolverhampton."

Banks's site will be crucial to a new chapter in Wolverhampton's history,, says mayor

By Richard Parker, elected mayor for the West Midlands

Sadly, and frustratingly, the iconic Banks’s Brewery in Wolverhampton has announced that it will be closing its doors, bringing an end to a legacy that has lasted over a century-and-a-half. 

This is not just the closure of a business, but the loss of an iconic and well-loved part of our community. It’s a moment of sadness, especially for the workers, and their families, whose livelihoods are directly affected. The people who have worked at Banks’s, often for decades, are the heart of this business, and their contributions to the region and community are immeasurable.

I’ve met with the owners of the brewery, alongside Steve Simkins – Leader of Wolverhampton Council – to discuss what this means for the city and, more importantly, what we can do to secure a positive future. Steve and myself have been clear that we will work together tirelessly to do what is needed. While the site will remain active and the jobs protected for another year, it’s vital that we now start planning to support those who will be impacted.

I’ve committed to work hand in hand with the brewery, the council and local education providers to ensure we help workers transition into new jobs and careers. That focus will be on supporting and 'up-skilling', making sure those who want to continue working are part of the Black Country’s future. Anyone who wants it, will have access to training and support. We can’t afford to let anyone slip through the cracks.

However, there’s also a broader challenge here. The site where Banks’s Brewery stands is one of great historical and cultural significance. It is a stunning example of late-Victorian industrial design, something to treasure and preserve. If we don’t act, there is a real danger that this could become yet another empty space, left to deteriorate. And worryingly, it could invite the kind of anti-social behaviour that has blighted other former industrial sites in the Black Country. We’ve seen this happen before – in places like the former GKN factory in Heath Town and other areas where, once industry has left, no new purpose is found for the land. We must learn from those mistakes and not let Banks’s site go the same way. Empty, derelict buildings don’t just symbolise lost jobs – they become scars on the community, fostering feelings of abandonment and contributing to a rise in crime and disorder. We feel this so acutely on some of the high streets in our region. I’ve asked the owners of the site to not just sell the site to the highest bidder, who may sit on the land for decades, but to work with us to find someone who has the pride and ambition for the site that we have. 

It’s crucial that we preserve the heritage elements of the site, honouring its history while transforming it into a place that serves the needs of today and tomorrow. 

But we cannot be passive in this process. Politicians, businesses, and communities need to step up and take control of our future. When decisions, like this, that impact our region are made elsewhere and out of our hands, we must be proactive in finding solutions that work for us. That means engaging fully with those affected and ensuring that their voices are heard in the redevelopment process. I’ll ensure that the future of this site is a source of hope, not a symbol of neglect.

There are already positive discussions underway about how we can turn this challenge into an opportunity. By focusing on how we grow, we can ensure that those impacted by the closure of Banks’s Brewery aren’t just left behind but are positioned to thrive in new careers. Additionally, the redevelopment of the site can create new jobs and boost the local economy, transforming it into a place that serves the needs of the community in the years to come.

This is a difficult moment for Wolverhampton, but it is also a chance for us to show what we can do when we work together and take control of our future.

We must seize this opportunity, not just to support those who are losing their jobs, but to secure a brighter future for the whole community.

It’s also why I support the Express & Star’s campaign to Back our Breweries. These local breweries are part of our historical and cultural make up, and are also a significant part of our local economy. If we are going to back the Black Country then we should back those who are bringing jobs, investment and real ale into our region too.

We’ve faced challenges before in the Black Country, and we’ve come through them with determination and resilience. Now, we must ensure that the closure of Banks’s Brewery is not the end of a story but the beginning of a new chapter for Wolverhampton.