Former Wolverhampton gangland pub in supermarket plan
A former gangland pub in Wolverhampton will be transformed into a supermarket under new plans.
The old Waggon & Horses site on Cannock Road is set for a new lease of life.
Casper Stores Limited, a family-run company that sells Eastern European Foods, has applied to turn the site into a shop, creating nine jobs. It also wanted to build a training centre across the road.
The Waggon & Horses was closed by Wolverhampton City Council in 2009 due to crime and safety fears and the site transformed into three retail units. It was the first pub in the West Midlands to be closed by a local authority.
Back in 2008, a man was shot three times inside and residents described it as 'like living next to a warzone'. Gun crime, assaults, drug abuse and prostitution all took place.
Casper Stores said it wanted the Waggon & Horses site to become its flagship store.
A statement reads: "The company identified this location due to the demographics of the local area, the size of the three units combined, its location, with good visibility from the road, its car park facilities and the development of the vacant plot across the road, which will become a nationally recognised educational establishment bringing staff and faculty from all over the UK.
"It is anticipated that the new business will offer full-time employment opportunities for the equivalent of approximately nine staff."
