GENSOCIAL
Pub company Marston’s is looking to re-house hundreds of staff in a disused office building in Wolverhampton – after being given the green light to refurbish the building.
The brewery giant has won permission to revamp St John’s House, in St John’s Square, to provide extra working space for more than 250 staff.
The city centre building has been vacant for a number of years but – after the refurbishment has been carried out – it will be home to employees relocating from the company’s nearby headquarters in Brewery Road and from further afield.
According to BirminghamLive, the plans would see a new staircase and lift tower installed at the back of the building and a new reception area.
A design and access statement by KMB Construction Consultants states: “The building has been redundant for a considerable period of time.
“The work is relatively modest but is necessary to meet the modern specifications required by Marston’s.
“Investing in the site will meet a range of sustainability criteria, not least in terms of making the best use of previously developed land.
“The location is accessible to a significant number of shops and is within the administrative and economic hub of the city. It is also situated close to transport links and away from residential areas.”
“Key priorities are the conservation and enhancement of the Georgian Square surrounding nearby St John’s Church, as well as improving links across the ring road to the Blakenhall, Graiseley and All Saints areas.”
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The statement adds: “The offices were built in the early 1970’s and the basic structure of the building remains sound. The proposed minor modifications will allow for many more years of use as commercial office space.
“The redevelopment will maintain jobs for local people and also contribute to the visual improvement of the conservation area. These proposals are key to bringing life back to the site and employment to this part of the city centre.”
The move by Marston’s comes just six months after the brewery and pub company announced plans for a joint venture with Carlsberg to create a new brewing business called ‘Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company.’
And last month, the pub chain announced plans to cut more than 2,000 jobs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
