Death knell sounds for landmark Dudley pub to be replaced by supermarket

Aldi has lodged proposals to demolish the former 1920s roadhouse, beside the Birmingham New Road in Dudley, to make way for the store.

Supermarket bosses say the new 1,000 sq ft store will create 40 jobs and have a 94-space car park.

But the scheme has divided opinion between residents and politicians across the borough.

Dudley North MP Ian Austin has supported the proposals and the creation of new jobs- saying the building has become an eyesore and did not have future as a pub.

More than 160 letters of support have also been lodged with the council.

But West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge collected more than 100 signatures for a petition calling for the building to be preserved and Sedgley Local History Society has also objected to the application.

Planning officers at Dudley Council have backed Aldi's proposals to knock down the former pub, saying there is 'no reasonable alternative to its demolition'. Councillors will be asked to approve the scheme at a meeting on Monday next week.

A report says: "The viability of continued beneficial use or conversion of the existing building at the site has been fully investigated and it is accepted that there are no reasonable alternative to its demolition and that the benefits of returning the site to a use which will create jobs and support sustainable economic growth within the borough outweigh the loss to the locality of the heritage asset.

"The development will have a positive impact on the character on the area and no adverse effect on residential amenity, highway safety or wildlife species will occur."

Mr Etheridge, who has also raised concerns about an increase in traffic from the site, said: "I'm disappointed that other options haven't been properly pursued to get a development more in keeping with the heritage of the King Arthur.

"I also don't believe that ever more supermarkets are the answer to all our problems. They certainly aren't the answer for local small traders."

Mr Austin said he had surveyed 900 residents and said eight out of every ten people supported plans for a supermarket.

"It's clear that the overwhelming majority of local residents consider the King Arthur an eyesore and want it replaced by a new supermarket.

"I used to go to the King Arthur a lot. My parents in particular liked the carvery on Sundays, so I was sorry to see it close in 2012. It's been a real shame to see it empty ever since.

"Aldi's plans will provide 40 jobs in an area of high unemployment. Local people who live near the site have told me they support the plans, particularly those very close by who have to put up with the problems the site has caused."

The pub, built in 1939 by Dudley architects Webb and Gray, closed in 2012.