Dudley Council hopes to kick-start the regeneration of a key gateway into the town with the demolition of an eyesore building.

Council bosses have prioritised Wolverhampton Street in Dudley town centre for improvements. To that end, the local authority has completed the purchase of the former Welcome Home Designs furniture store.

The building, next to the Texaco petrol station and on the corner of Wolverhampton Street and School Street, has been derelict for a number of years and fallen into disrepair.

The council is intending to demolish the building – and will then submit a planning application to build affordable housing on the site. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said:

“We want to make Dudley town centre a more attractive place for people to live, work and shop.

“Wolverhampton Street is one of the key routes into the town. This is just the first of a number of planned schemes and we are committed to spending money wisely in the right places so people get a better first impression when they drive in.”

Councillor Les Jones, cabinet member for housing, said:

“With our population growing, creating more affordable housing is a key priority for us.

“This scheme is a double win – if we get planning permission, it will allow us to build new town centre social housing while at the same time getting rid of an eyesore. It just makes sense really.”