Thumbs-up for ‘important’ apartments at former city bank

Wolverhampton is a ‘city on the up’, after a plan to convert a 148-year-old city centre building into 18 apartments was given the green light this week.

Planners at City of Wolverhampton Council gave the green light to Wingate Associates’ plan for the Grade Two-listed former Lloyds TSB building on Queen Square, which will also see the ground floor fitted out for use as a cafe.

Lloyds quit the premises for the Mander shopping centre in 2025, the move described as the ‘end of an era’ by councillors after nearly a century-and-a-half in one of the city’s highest profile retail locations.

Wednesfield-based Wingate will now sensitively transform the upper levels of the vacant four-storey building into 12 one-bedroom and 6 two-bedroom apartments.

The conversion of the former banking hall space on the ground floor to a café will make use of the 19th century ‘Italianate’ Italian Renaissance-inspired features including the grand entrance, etched windows, plinths and pillars.

Gary Hartland, Wingate Associates Ltd, said: “Wolverhampton is a city on the up and we are excited by the opportunity to sensitively bring this historic building back into use, while positively contributing to the city’s visitor offer.

“It will activate the ground floor, adding to the public amenity space in Queen Square, while supporting the city’s vision of being a vibrant, safe, attractive, and family-friendly city centre.

“The new apartments will enhance the city centre living provision and increase footfall to support businesses in the local economy.”

Earlier this year, the city’s former Marks & Spencer building on Dudley Street was also approved for a residential conversion, after Nottinghamshire-based ALB saw plans for 71 apartments given the go-ahead.

Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, said: “This is exactly the type of scheme we want to see and demonstrates great confidence in Wolverhampton.

“This is an important site at the heart of our city centre and we look forward to it being sensitively and swiftly brought back into use.

“To ensure our city centre thrives we have undertaken major transformation through infrastructure and development schemes like the new transport Interchange, public realm improvements, Smithgate and Canalside South – all of which are encouraging further investment and development like this.”

Designs for the scheme have been provided by Coventry-based Convery Prenty Shields Architects.

Documents and plans relating to the proposals can be found on Wolverhampton’s planning portal using reference: 26/00062/FUL