Former pub could become Indian restaurant

Fresh plans have been submitted to convert a vacant pub into an Indian restaurant.

The Bridge Tavern in Willenhall, Walsall closed to the public in 2023. Plans were submitted last year to convert it into a convenience store, but the proposal was later withdrawn.

Bai Investments Ltd has now outlined a proposal to convert The Bridge Tavern, described as a locally listed building, into a restaurant.

The latest proposals involve building a rear ground-floor extension The site has 13 parking spaces to the rear, which will remain the same should the new plans go ahead.

After plans were submitted last February to convert the pub into a convenience store, Josh Whitehouse, a Conservative councillor for the Short Heath ward, launched a petition against the move that was signed by over 600 people.

The applicant withdrew the proposals just before the meeting.

The following month, the pub was defaced as racist slurs were spray painted onto the front of the building.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.