Dudley fire station to be transformed in £900,000 refurb

DUDLEY’S former fire station is set to be transformed into a new bar and restaurant as a result of a £900,000 refurbishment.

The building – 23 Priory Street – was last used as Carver’s Café. It is being refurbished as part of a new project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Dudley Council.

Work on the building includes the reinstatement of a number of key architectural and heritage features, including the original fire station frontage, which will see the removal of the 70s shop front and the reconstruction of the fire station doors, creating direct access onto Priory Street.

The site, which is of archaeological significance, was once occupied by Dudley Flint Glass works and was originally constructed around 1770.  The remains of the previous glass works lie beneath Stone Street Square and as part of the major refurbishment, the foundations will be exposed with lighting and viewable through a glass floor.

Cllr Judy Foster, Dudley’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “I cannot stress enough the historical and archaeological importance of this building and its surrounding area and I am delighted that work on restoring this town centre gem is starting.

“Double good news comes with this project, because not only is the building being refurbished but we’ve also secured a tenant who will be opening a new bar and restaurant soon after the work is complete in the spring of next year.”

She said the refurbishment was further proof of new investment being pumped into Dudley in an effort to bolster its evening economy.

“Dudley town centre is fast becoming a place that offers residents, businesses, visitors and shoppers, the whole package,” she added.

Other work includes the rebuilding of a former hose drying tower, reinstatement of windows and doors, stable roof, repairs to brickwork as well as a second storey conversion and extension to accommodate a kitchen, office, toilet facilities and stores. Disabled toilet provision will be made on the ground floor.   

The fire station was constructed in 1892 and remained operational until 1939, when a new police head quarters and fire station was built in Tower Street.

From the 1940s onwards the former fire station was used as a variety of purposes including a club for the RAF, Payne’s shoe shop and then Carver’s Cafe.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close