Willenhall Liberal Democrats have raised concerns about the safety of the Allens Centre following last night’s serious fire.

Picture courtesy of West Midlands Fire Service

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Shires (Willenhall North) has contacted senior officers at Walsall Council following the serious fire last night which badly damaged the Allens Centre in Hilton Road.

“I am concerned about the safety of the building ” said Ian this morning. “It’s important that nearby residents are kept informed of the ongoing situation as damping down operations continued this morning.”

The Centre has been empty for almost a year following its closure by the then Labour administration as part of a cost cutting drive. There had been plans promote the building as a community hub based around an enlarged Lighthouse Children’s Centre but cuts agreed between Labour and the Tories at this year’s Budget Council meeting back in February virtually put paid to this idea.

The latest news we have is that the building will be boarded up and made safe whilst its future is decided.