Historic Black Country firm’s offices to be demolished for new units

The old empty offices of the Queen Anne Works, famed for its silver plated tableware, in Holyhead Road in Wednesbury would be demolished to make way for seven new units with the former factory refurbished as part of the work.

The planning application submitted to Sandwell Council said the site’s offices now lie empty after the firm changed ownership and moved to Wolverhampton.

A total of 46 car parking spaces are included.

A statement included with the application said: “The site comprises the bulk of Queen Anne Works on Holyhead Road, once a major employer in the town. Famed for electroplating, Queen Anne works dates from the early 20th century and has undergone several transformations in built form in the last 100 years.

“The remaining electroplated tableware function has been relocated into Wolverhampton and the buildings are now unused and the current owner is desirous of creating smaller spaces suitable for the location of new smaller businesses.

“The south-east wing of the building which is single storey is to be subdivided into five lettable units. The offices to the frontage are to be demolished and the building refaced in red brick with powder coated doors. The sixth unit as you progress in a north-westerly direction along the building is to be a much larger unit.

“The next ground floor unit incorporates the vertical circulation to the upper floors of the dominant three storey form of the building. The upper floors are to comprise light industry.

“At the north-western end of the building there will be another large unit on the ground floor.”

Last year, Sandwell Council approved plans to build 30 flats on the old Wednesbury Motors showroom and garage next to the Queen Anne Works in Holyhead Road.

The buildings associated with the former car and van sales garage on the corner of Holyhead Road and Monway Terrace were demolished in 2021.

Holyhead Road and the surrounding area have been earmarked as part of a ‘regeneration corridor’ between Wednesbury and West Bromwich by Sandwell Council – where it is also classed as a major site for future housing.

More than 1,700 homes would be built under the regeneration plans with around half of them built in and around Wednesbury town centre.