Derelict Tipton factory on the market for £500,000
A vandal-hit former landmark ceramics factory in Tipton has been put up for sale for more than half a million pounds.
The Roman Mosaic site, situated on Bloomfield Road, has been targeted by arsonists in recent years leaving it at risk of collapse.
It has now been put on the market for around £575,000 by Dudley-based chartered surveyors Sellers.
The factory, which is recognised by its notable chimney with 'Roman' written on it, also has an unique tile mosaic of a Black Country canal scene on the corner of the premises.
Councillor Ian Jones, who represents the Tipton Green ward, said he would welcome a new development on the site.
He said: "There is quite a lot of land there as it used to be a popular factory.
"We would like to see a worthwhile end to this now - whether it be if a similar factory took over the site or a new housing development.
"It has been left derelict for some years now and the problem with buildings like that is if they get left then they become a target for vandalism - which has happened in this case.
"It is in a prime location so we are all really pleased that something will be done with it now."
The sales advert on Sellers says that 'the property comprises of an industrial with the potential' and 'a range of industrial buildings which have been subject to vandalism/arson damage'.
Roman Mosaic moved to the Bloomfield Road site in the mid 1980s.
They had been based in Burnt Tree island, Dudley, previously.
In 1997 former West Bromwich politician and House of Commons speaker, Baroness Betty Boothroyd, unveiled the canal mosaic artwork tile along with factory bosses.
Keith Hodgkins, chair of Tipton Civic Society, said: "It has looked a mess for some time now so to see something done with the site would be good.
"All we would ask is that the mosaic scene is kept in tact.
"It is a shame that its been left the way it has for so long as ceramics used to be really in fashion at one time."
Over the past five years a spate of vandal attacks have also blighted the premises, including metal thieves taking copper piping from the factory and slates from the roof.
The Roman Mosaic company was originally founded by Italians.
