Buyer steps in to revive Niphon Works scheme

A part-converted former Wolverhampton factory has been sold off for onward development, almost two years after receivers were called in at the project.

The former Niphon Works in Lower Villiers Street, originally a 19th century tin factory, was granted planning permission for conversion to residential apartments in 2017.

But former developer Niphon Limited fell into receivership in 2024 with only 17 of the planned 49 apartments completed.

Now, the building is set for a new lease of life, having been sold off to an unnamed regional developer, part of plans which will see the remaining apartments completed, according to agents working on the deal.

The building was once the largest factory workshop in Wolverhampton, employing more than 300 workers to manufacture tin trunks and coal scuttles, before later diversifying into cabinet making and car bodies.

It was later used as a clothing factory until it closed for good in 2004.

Planning permission for an earlier scheme to convert the building into flats and offices was granted in 2012, but no work was completed at the site until 2017, when a later application for 49 flats was given the go-ahead by Wolverhampton City Council.

Approving the scheme, the city’s planning officers said the works were a “architecturally and historically significant” building, which was at the time in a “very poor state of repair”.

A total of 32 apartments are still to be completed as part of the redevelopment.

TSR’s Martin Zaki, who handled the sale of the property, said an offer had been accepted that would allow works to be finished off – but the value of the deal would not be disclosed.

“We obtained a sale price that was agreeable to the receivers for the development of the Niphon Works building to now be completed,” he said.

“This is an iconic Wolverhampton property that generated a considerable amount of interest. The Niphon Works is a beautiful building and it’s pleasing that a sale has now been been finalised to enable the conversion of the property to be resumed.”

Towler Shaw Roberts and Sanderson Weatherall were jointly instructed to bring the Niphon Works building to the market.