New details have emerged about the future of Sedgley health centre following Dudley Council's purchase of the Ladies Walk building. The centre, which faced possible closure last year, is now set to also become home to a housing hub and police offices.
Background of the Purchase
The Ladies Walk centre was at the centre of a political row between Dudley politicians after concerns that lease renewal negotiations had been left too late. Instead of renewing the lease, the council opted to buy the centre outright. A deal was struck with owners Aviva for £1.85 million, avoiding a lease cost of £380,000 per year for 25 years.
Council Leader's Statement
Dudley Council leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, said: "The plan all along was to purchase the Ladies Walk Centre. It's clearly an investment that will save the council a fortune over the years and will pay for itself within less than five years. Now instead of the council paying rent we will receive rent from others such as the NHS, only a fool would argue this isn't a good deal."
Planned Services
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has learned the council plans to open a housing hub at the centre alongside retaining existing facilities. Dudley Conservative local election candidate for Sedgley, Bill Etheridge, said: "This is a great victory for the taxpayers of Dudley, it doesn't take a genius to work out the taxpayer has been saved over £7m. That doesn't include extra uses, the NHS paying rent, council offices being moved here, businesses being allowed to rent extra space here, hopefully, if I am elected, I will be campaigning for a police hub here."
Previous Concerns
The future of the centre was in doubt when it emerged in early 2025 the lease was due to expire in March 2026. Speaking in April 2025, Sedgley councillor Shaun Keasey said it was 'ridiculous the centre could be at risk of closure after just 25 years' while Dudley MP Sonia Kumar was concerned NHS services would be lost in Sedgley and said relocation was 'not a viable option'.
