Shopping mall planned for Dudley pub will be allowed to open at 6am

The development planned for the Spills Meadow pub in Upper Gornal will be allowed to open an hour earlier than specified when planning permission was granted last year. 

The scheme was given the go-ahead by Dudley Council in August, 2024, despite fears that nearby graves could be disturbed.

At the time, Mr Mellor specified that opening times for the new centre should be restricted to 7am to 11pm. But following an application from developer 90 Squared, he agreed to the extra hour. 

Developer 90 Squared had originally wanted to create three shop units on the site of the Spills Meadow in Kent Street, covering a floorspace of 6,200 sq ft. Three first-floor flats were also proposed, along with parking for 21 cars.

But following talks with the council the developer agreed to reduce the number of retail units to two, covering 5,170 sq ft.

One resident had voiced concerns that a small area of land, enclosed by a brick wall, was a burial crypt belonging to the former Kent Street Methodist Church, which was demolished in 1971. He said the plans might contravene the burial act.

The developer revised the plans to remove proposed electric vehicle charging points from the crypt wall.

A second objector also expressed concerns about the burial site.

Mike Carr, speaking for the developer, said the pub closed in June 2022, when it was put up for sale by Christie & Co. He said just three offers were made for the building, all of them for retail use.

"None of the local and regional pub companies showed any interest, or see a way to make the pub profitable again, given the demographic locally has massively changed and the local pub is no longer a focal point in this location," said Mr Carr.

Pub operator Marston’s sold the building with vacant possession to 90 Squared in August 2023.

"The applicants then asked the previous landlady to keep the pub functioning ­– whilst losing money – so as to ensure site and building security," Mr Carr said.