Businesses Demand Action as Blakenhall Street Closure Hits 58 Days After Factory Fire
Business owners in Blakenhall are calling for urgent action as Upper Villiers Street remains closed for 58 days following a major factory fire, creating what they describe as "chaos and confusion" for the local community.
The Devastating Blaze That Started It All
The crisis began on January 14 when a massive fire erupted in a historic industrial building on Sunbeam Street, visible from miles around. The inferno required 21 fire engines and approximately 100 firefighters to bring under control, gutting a premises near the junction with Upper Villiers Street.
While the flames have long been extinguished, the aftermath continues to disrupt daily life in this Wolverhampton neighborhood. Scaffolding now surrounds damaged buildings, with large sections of roofing missing, extending to properties on Sunbeam Street.
Business Impact: "Diabolical" Traffic and Lost Revenue
Aarun Shibber, 40, who runs Microtek Repair Centre on nearby Moor Street South, described the situation as "quite terrible" for local enterprises. "People use Upper Villiers Street to cut through from Wolverhampton to Goldthorn Hill," he explained. "Because of the fire, all traffic is being diverted to our end of the road. It's diabolical."
Shibber highlighted particular problems during school hours when parent traffic combines with business clients, creating what he called "hectic" conditions. "We can't get into our own units in the morning," he added. "It has affected business quite badly. Every day we see the closure, and every day we're losing time and money."
Frustration Mounts Among Local Proprietors
Cos Louca, 54, who has operated a sandwich shop on Upper Villiers Street for 34 years, expressed growing frustration. "We've been waiting and waiting," he said. "Things are really slow this year, and I do believe it's beginning to reflect on what's happened with the fire."
Louca criticized what he perceives as inaction from authorities. "You can keep moaning and getting on the phone to people, but nobody is really doing anything about it. Nobody is lifting a finger. We seem to be going around in circles."
The business owner concluded with a pointed demand: "Someone needs to pull their finger out."
Structural Complications and Community Consequences
Gary Wood, manager at Clarkwood Engineering Ltd on Sunbeam Street, revealed that the affected building's listed status is complicating recovery efforts. "Because it's listed, work is progressing more slowly," he explained, noting this contributes to the prolonged road closure.
Wood described the practical impacts: "It has been a nightmare because people are having to drive all around the Wrekin. People are having to come here 10 to 15 minutes early because of that little stretch of road."
The closure has particularly affected vulnerable residents. A 65-year-old shopkeeper who wished to remain anonymous reported: "There's no passing trade. I feel sorry for the elderly - there are no bus services around here at the moment." The shopkeeper described helping an elderly neighbor who couldn't travel to purchase food.
Traffic Diversion Creates Additional Problems
With Upper Villiers Street closed between Moorfield Road and Sunbeam Street, traffic has been forced onto narrower side streets including:
- Moor Street South
- Cross Street South
- Park Street
- Moorfield Road
A 58-year-old business owner operating off Moorfield Road reported: "We get customers phoning from the bottom of the road, literally not able to get here. Cars are parking on both sides of the road, so they can't get through. I'm really surprised there hasn't been a crash."
Official Responses and Ongoing Challenges
West Midlands Fire Service confirmed that the building remains structurally unstable, preventing a complete investigation into the fire's cause. A spokesperson stated: "Due to the unstable structure of the building, proper access to complete investigations has not been possible and so the cause of the fire remains undetermined."
City of Wolverhampton Council acknowledged the frustration while emphasizing safety concerns. A spokesperson said: "We understand how frustrating the ongoing temporary road closure is for drivers, residents and nearby businesses. These measures are not taken lightly and are because safety of the public is our absolute priority."
The council noted their business growth support team has been assisting affected businesses with:
- Property searches and temporary office space identification
- Signposting staff to job opportunities and welfare support
- Connecting businesses with wider city networks
However, the council emphasized they must await structural assessment results from the building owner before determining next steps, particularly given the listed building consent requirements.
Blakenhall councillor Sally Green summarized the human impact: "It's heartbreaking to see" residents who rely on bus travel being affected by the prolonged closure.
As the 58-day closure continues with no immediate resolution in sight, business owners remain united in their call for faster action to restore normal access to Upper Villiers Street and alleviate the ongoing disruption to their livelihoods and community.
