An empty 100-year-old former working men’s club and community hub will be converted into new housing.
The former Corks Social Club in Bearwood, Smethwick, will be transformed into townhouses and flats under new plans by Tusq Construction now approved by Sandwell Council.
The work would also include converting part of the former club, which went into administration last year, into space for a new shop.
The plans include adding an extra storey to the building, on the corner of Sherwood Road and Bearwood Road, to create the three-storey townhouses.
No parking spaces would be included and Sandwell Council’s highways department had raised concerns over parking issues in the already-cramped Bearwood due to the lack of spaces around the town.
Highways said that up to 24 spaces would be needed – as a ‘lenient’ estimate – but none would be provided which officers said was “unacceptable.”
Nevertheless, the council’s planners approved the application saying the new homes and flats would generate less demand for parking spaces than the former club did.
The council’s planners said in a report: “Considering the current use of the site as the Bearwood Corks Club, with a large first-floor function room with bar areas downstairs, the existing arrangement would generate significantly more on-street parking demand than the proposed dwellings.
“Trip generation associated with the existing use would far exceed that of the proposed dwellings, with no time restrictions on activities held at the club and with the building potentially being used during the day as well as for parties at night. Furthermore, the building’s location within a town centre has sustainable transport links.
“Given the town-centre location, the availability of sustainable transport options, and the significantly higher trip rates associated with the existing use, there is no evidence to suggest the proposed development would result in harmful highway impacts any greater than the existing use to warrant refusal of this application.”
The application said the roof of the century-old building was crumbling allowing rain to leak in.
Corks Social Club hosted a mix of events and activities and was a venue for birthday parties, weddings, theatre groups, choirs, Latin dance classes and socials.
It was also the home venue for jazz legend Andy Hamilton’s Silvershine Jazz Club and hosted some of the biggest names in jazz.
A statement included with the application said: “The proposed redevelopment will retain the extents of the existing building whilst improving its appeal and living quality in an attempt to positively contribute to the street scene and the existing community.
“This intervention will revitalise the building’s current state and provide seven new homes as well as create an opportunity for new businesses to thrive within Bearwood and encourage future regeneration within the local area.”
The building was included in Sandwell Council’s list of assets of community value.
The club fell into administration in August last year according to Companies House with the appointed administrator Grant Thornton ordering the sale of the building to cover the club’s debts.
Grant Thornton said the building was due to be included in a Bond Wolfe auction in September last year but was pulled after an offer “in excess of the value that would likely be achieved at auction” was made.
However, the buyer had pulled out by the end of the month.
The club was eventually sold for £740,000 in January.
The administrator’s report said: “The financial position of the company had been deteriorating over a number of years due to a decline in trading performance linked to reduced demand and rising costs of operation.
“The decline in trading performance ultimately resulted in the company being unable to meet its liabilities as they fell due.”
Bearwood Community Hub, a not for profit community interest company, had started a campaign to raise more than £100,000 to secure the building.