Historic fire-hit Smethwick foundry to be demolished
A fire-stricken historic former foundry in Smethwick is being demolished and could make way for a new commercial site, it has been revealed.
Incanite Foundries Ltd, in Cornwall Road, has stood in a crumbling state since being gutted by a huge blaze last November.
However, new Northern Ireland owners Ballyvesey Holdings Ltd, hope to breath new life into the area by developing the site into offices and storage units.
The site has remained derelict since its closure in 2014.
Nigel Birkmyre, director of Ballyvesey Holdings, said: "We are in the early stages of demolishing it at the moment as it was in a pretty bad state.
"We will know for sure what will be doing with it in the next few months, but we have one or two options at the minute based around a commercial site for offices and storage.
"At present we are getting it levelled out into shape and we want to modernise it and bring it back to life in a new form.
"It will be great for the area."
More than 40 firefighters tackled a huge blaze at the site last year, as mounds of rubbish had caught alight in the back of the building.
Mr Birkmyre continued: "The site is quite big but we will be demolishing all of it.
"We bought it about 12 months ago and there was a lot of waste in there that people had dumped and it had just been left.
"Then there was the fire and it caused a big problem for us. Water had to be pumped into it for days and days. It was devastating."
Around 100 staff lost their jobs at the site after it went into administration three years ago.
They were awarded an £186,000 payout over the lack of consultation.
Following major investment at the base, including a £1.4 million new aluminium foundry, it was hit by falling turnover and the loss of a number of customers in 2013.
Ninder Johal, president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, spoke of his delight at the proposed redevelopment.
He said: "The confidence in the Black Country and Sandwell has been rising over a number of years. This long-standing piece of land which has now been purchased shows that inward investment is key to economic in the region.
"We know that there is a shortage of land and I am pleased to see that this company is doing something productive with it that could lead to more business start-ups and employment in the area.
"This is a great example of the private and public sector coming together and making sure that everyone benefits."
