Dudley Council has moved to reassure businesses that they are safe despite plans to potentially sell the land on which their shops are built. Since January, the authority's top officers have approved investigations into the possible disposal of several sites following a review by its Corporate Landlord Services department.
There can be multiple reasons for disposing of sites, including releasing the council from ongoing liabilities or capitalising on development opportunities. The shop units on the land are sold as going concerns, with some tenants holding lengthy leases. Council notes on the decisions stress that 'there are no plans to close any shops'.
Sites earmarked for disposal
Among the sites identified since the new year is the former Broadstone public house on Two Gates Lane in Cradley, now a convenience store. Notes on the decision state: 'The lease for the above council owned shop and accommodation has an end date of 06/09/2071. This is a disposal of a ground lease. The building on site will only revert to the landlord at the end of the lease.'
Another site assessed is at Queensway in Wollescote, where notes say: 'The shops, accommodation above, garages, access way and surrounding land be declared surplus to requirements by way of sale or lease. If sold, these commercial units would be offered as ongoing concerns, with existing tenants remaining in place, many of which hold long-term leases.'
Further sites under review
A row of shops between 91 and 97 on The Broadway in Norton, Stourbridge, are also earmarked for disposal. Notes with the decision said: 'A number of shop units and maisonettes in this property have already been disposed of and similar disposals will be following established precedent.'
Other sites with commercial premises where council officers have been asked to investigate land disposal in the last five months include 95 and 97 Priory Road, Dudley; 139 Green Park Road, Dudley; 1 and 2 Wood Road, Lower Gornal; and 47-35 Central Drive, Gornal Wood.
