At long last it looks as if Walsall Council is to take action against the owners of “The Bell” public house in an attempt to stop further deterioration of this historic Grade ll listed building.

Officers are recommending to the Development Control Committee when it meets on Tuesday (31st March @ 5.30pm) that an “Urgent Works Notice” be served on the owners to ensure the structural stability of the building and to make it wind and weather proof and to prevent further vandalism and theft.

“The Bell” is a Grade ll listed building which dates back to the 1660′s. It stands in Market Street in the centre of the conservation area. 

It was built shortly after a fire which destroyed most of Willenhall. Much of the fabric of the building dates back to the eighteenth and nineteenth century with some sixteenth and seventeenth century timber framing.

In recent years the public house closed and the building was allowed to deteriorate by its owners. It has suffered from arson attacks, unauthorised entry and theft of lead to the roof which has resulted in significant damage to the building.

“Although the Urgent Works Notice should halt further deterioration of the building it will still leave it looking a sorry sight” said Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires. “The only thing that would bring it back to its former glory would be for someone to take it on, renovate it, and re-open it as a pub, but that seems as far away as ever given the current economic climate” concluded Ian.