Plans for indoor climbing centre in Wolverhampton city centre approved at former Express & Star building

City of Wolverhampton Council has approved plans to open the indoor climbing venue at the former Express and Star offices in Queen Street, Wolverhampton.

The former headquarters of the city’s newspaper, which moved out of its 140-year-home in 2023, is already being converted into new flats.

The new venue would create 33 jobs, according to the planning application by Climbing Hut Ltd.

A report by City of Wolverhampton Council’s planning officers said: “The proposals are a significant investment and would create new jobs at this important location.

“This portion of the building is currently vacant. The proposals would be an effective use of this floor space and the use would be compatible with the centre.

“Moreover, it is likely that this scheme would enhance the centre, and the wider city, providing a good quality leisure facility here.”

The council’s planners approved a move at the start of the year to convert the now empty offices in Queen Street into new flats.

A total of 38 one-and-two-bed flats have been proposed for the second and third floors of the building alongside a “bar, restaurant, leisure, and event space” as well as a gym and offices.

A statement included with the application said the work would “transform” the former newspaper site, now dubbed ‘The Newspaper Building’.

City of Wolverhampton Council has highlighted the site as having space for up to 145 homes as part of housebuilding plans for the next decade.

The newspaper’s former printworks are also being converted into a beauty salon, barbers and cafe.

Staff at the Express and Star moved out of Queen Street in 2023, just months after its long-established home was put on the market and the title then sold to publisher National World.