Great Barr pub which served Villa boss Dean Smith 'to make way for Co-op shop'

The Red Admiral, in Great Barr, is on the Gorse Farm estate where the Villa head coach grew up.

But the boarded-up pub has seen better days after vandal and arson attacks left it a wreck after it closed in August 2016.

Plans have now been tabled to demolish the pub, near a roundabout locally known as Gorse Farm Circle, and create a new Co-op food store creating 25 jobs.

It came after a land ruling protecting the pub as a community asset, which prevented the site being demolished, was lifted.

Ward councillor Joyce Underhill has welcomed the plans saying the empty pub had become an eyesore and a magnet for vandals.

"Co-op asked for a meeting with us ward councillors and when we heard about the plans we were pleased," she said.

"The estate is not served well by public transport so the pub was very much just used by local people in walking distance.

"When it closed it gradually fell into disrepair. It has been targeted by arsonists and for anti-social behaviour.

"It makes the Gorse Farm Circle an eyesore."

She said the plans had been welcomed by nearby shop owners, adding: "They see it as a way to bring people back down to the area and make it vibrant.

"It should tidy the area up a lot."

There had been talk when the pub originally closed that it would be converted into a nursery or the land used for bungalows but they did not come to fruition.

In plans submitted to Sandwell Council, the building would be razed and a new food store build in its place.

Fourteen parking spaces including disabled bays would be created outside.

Opening hours would be from 6am to 11pm, says the application from developer SEP Properties Limited.

A decision is due from Sandwell Council's planning department in the coming weeks.

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