Deal on health centre could mean housing hub

An imminent deal to secure the Ladies Walk Centre in Sedgley could bring a new housing hub to the area.

The future of the building, which is home to a health centre and library, had been uncertain because the lease was due to expire in March 2026.

Dudley Council has secured a deal in principle with landlord Aviva for a new long-term lease which borough leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, says will secure the centre for the foreseeable future.

Cllr Harley said: “NHS partners can take comfort that we are not going to turf them out any time soon, hopefully they will have confidence to bring more health facilities to Sedgley.

“The library will remain in situ and the group director of housing and assets is very determined to bring a housing hub to that building because Sedgley does not have that council facility.”

Dudley’s Labour MP, Sonia Kumar, said: “I am very pleased that we have secured a temporary deal to keep Ladies Walk open while negotiations continue.

“This is the result of perseverance, community pressure, and direct engagement with all parties. Sedgley has made it absolutely clear: this centre matters.

“Now we must lock in a long-term solution so local people never again face the loss of vital services.”

Cllr Harley rubbished claims from Ms Kumar that the centre has been granted a short-term reprieve. He said: “There is no short-term reprieve, the lease is running out next year but well before then a new lease will be signed which will secure it for another generation.”

The Conservative council leader made it clear he thought credit for keeping health services at Ladies Walk belongs to council negotiators while criticising calls for a speedy solution. He said: “I can’t praise the Corporate Landlord Team enough, we didn’t need a deal quickly, we needed the right deal and what officers have done is play a very patient game.

“I want to thank the residents for being patient with us, it is vital we have taken our time to get the right deal for taxpayers.

“The three ward councillors have played their part in making sure they have held officers’ feet to the fire to get a good deal.”

One of the three ward councillors from Sedgley who campaigned to save the centre was Reform UK’s Cllr Shaun Keasey.

Cllr Keasey said: “Credit should go to the residents of Sedgley and the surrounding areas who, rightfully, threw their support behind efforts to secure the future of Ladies Walk.

“It should also go to the officers at Dudley Council who worked to get us to this position.”