New location for long-delayed boxpark

A new preferred location has been chosen for a multi-million-pound boxpark in Wolverhampton.

City of Wolverhampton Council said it plans to open the boxpark, providing a home for outdoor entertainment and food and drink vendors in converted shipping containers, in the city centre’s St Peter’s car park.

The council is offering up to £5.5m to potential suitors to design, build and operate the boxpark on the car park near Molineux Stadium and the University of Wolverhampton, under a 25-year lease.

But a report, which will be discussed by the council’s Labour cabinet next week, said little interest had been shown since the plans were informally mooted in June ahead of being put to formal tender.

Of the 19 suppliers that viewed the plans, just three responded and only one satisfied the council’s wish for a potential partner to design, build and operate the site.

The local authority has long held plans to open a new boxpark in the city centre and it was originally due to open in Cleveland Street in 2024 but the mult-million-pound move was put on hold following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The cost of living crisis and the war in Ukraine were also blamed for the lack of progress.

Artist’s impressions of the proposed new boxpark were revealed in 2023 and the new venue was expected to have replaced a decaying row of shops in Cleveland Street two years ago.

The city’s former outdoor market in Peel Street was also earmarked as a potential location having been demolished in 2017 but now forms part of the huge 12-acre regeneration site that will eventually see 1,070 new homes built between School Street and Darlington Street alongside space for new shops, bars and restaurants and a revamped square.

Council leader Cllr Stephen Simkins said the work was a “chance to create something special” in the city.

“We’ve wanted to bring a box space to Wolverhampton for a while, and the new preferred route to market with an identified location will speed up the process and enable us to secure a strong development partner,” he said.

“This is a chance to create something really special – somewhere that feels authentically ‘Wolves’, gives people more reasons to spend time in the city centre, and attracts visitors from across the region.

“Alongside major investment like the £83million Smithgate development, the transformation of The Halls and huge upgrades to public spaces, safety and lighting, this new venue will help make our city centre an exciting, vibrant place day and night.”

By Christian Barnett | Local Democracy Reporting Service