Former Dudley pub to become apartments after falling victim to vandals
A landmark former pub in Dudley which has become a target for vandals is to get a new lease of life and be transformed into town centre apartments.
Work is getting under way to renovate the former Gipsies Tent pub in Steppingstone Street, which since its closure in 1980 has fallen into disrepair.
The project, delivered by a private developer, will see the building in Dudley town centre's conservation area re-roofed, windows and doors repaired or replaced, damaged bricks repaired and missing timber and render detailing to the main elevations reinstated.
Once completed, the owners will convert and refurbish the interior to bring the building back into use as apartments.
Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development said: "This is another exciting restoration project, bringing an eyesore building on a prominent gateway to the town back into use.
"Despite its deterioration in recent years, the building is an important historic landmark and the work will see it sensitively restored in keeping with the conservation area it sits within.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing it brought back to life as quality homes for people in Dudley."
The external work will cost around £127,000, which is being part funded by grants sourced by Dudley Council from the Black Country Local Economic Partnership to repair historic buildings in Dudley town centre and bring them back into use. The remainder will be funded by the owner who will convert and refurbish the interior.
During the work, which is expected to last eight weeks, Steppingstone Street and Greystone Street will be closed to accommodate the scaffolding.
