Eyesore Website To Become Student Accommodation
10 February 2026
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Christian BarnettLocal Democracy Reporter, Wolverhampton
New trainee lodging and stores will be constructed as part of an effort to breathe brand-new life into an 100-year-old city centre structure.
A planning application to convert the building at 2-5 Princess Street, Wolverhampton, into 22 trainee flats and new retail units has actually been authorized by City of Wolverhampton Council.
The regional authority stated the "substantial investment" would bring tasks in addition to shops and to a vacant building.
Plans sent by PH8 Investments show the previous ground flooring store, which has actually been empty for a decade, would be transformed into new retail units.
The "underused" upper floors would be become trainee accommodation and the building's basement would also be transformed into a health club, sauna and steam room for students.
A report from the council describing the decision said: "The propositions would produce considerable investment, including excellent quality student accommodation and re-using existing commercial area at this crucial area. This is most likely to develop job opportunity here.
"There are a variety of prospective drinking establishments nearby, however, there are a number of existing property uses currently in this area and therefore, it is not likely that presenting student lodging here would be hazardous to the night-time economy or the viability of the centre."
Most of the near-100-year-old Art Deco building, nestled in between bookmakers Betfred and Paddy Power, has been empty since 2015 when furnishings professional E Marsh relocated.
They blamed long-running roadworks to pedestrianise Princess Street, declaring it had actually pressed business "past snapping point."
The previous upholsterers, which has actually been empty for many years and has ended up being an increasing eyesore, would be converted into brand-new retail systems with the planning application saying the space could be utilized for a cafe or offices.
A relocate to open a restaurant in the empty building was approved by the council in 2018 but the work was never performed.
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