Bid to get unauthorised rooftop venue approved rejected again

Walsall Council has refused to decide on the latest planning application for an unauthorised street food venue in the town.

Operators of the Rooftop Food Court had hoped to work constructively with the new Reform administration after being refused planning permission when the council was under Conservative rule.

However, officers have refused to assess the latest application, stating that it is ‘substantially the same’ as the previous one.

The popular venue located on top of Asda’s multi-storey car park on George Street, first opened without permission in 2025.

It hosted a dozen shipping containers each offering street food as well as a silent outdoor cinema and seating for 350 people.

The venue was subject to a stop notice order from Walsall Council in October 2025, a planning refusal in April 2026, and a failed appeal to the government inspector in September 2026.

Both the council and inspector ruled that the proposal would create fire risks and harm to public safety.

At a planning committee meeting, the set-up was likened to the Grenfell disaster after members heard how several of the exits were blocked with cable ties, a steel plate and a roller shutter.

In response to the council’s actions, the venue’s operators, Easy Park, has filed two judicial reviews and two injunctions against the authority. All have been dismissed.

A spokesperson for the company said it chose to let proceedings lapse after Reform took over from the Conservatives in the May elections.

Easy Park said it had hoped to work constructively with the new Reform administration.

In a fresh bid to get the venue authorised, a new application was submitted last month.

However, head of planning and building control, Adrian Harding, said the new application has ‘no significant changes’ since the appeal decision in September and refused to issue a new decision.

By Rachel Alexander | Local Democracy Reporting Service