Cradley Heath Army Stores to disappear forever

Cradley Heath Army Stores, on Upper High Street, will be transformed into a two-bedroom home after planners gave the scheme the thumbs up.

The store had been a popular sight in the town for almost seven decades and was described as a "little piece of local history" by councillor Julie Webb.

David James, who owned Cradley Heath Army Stores, closed up shop last year to retire to spend more time with his family.

The shop was opened by David's father William James in 1954 and has been a familiar sight in Upper High Street.

David ran the store for 32 years before deciding to call it a day and although it is closed its distinctive signage remains. 

He said at the time: "A lot of people have come in and said they are sad to see we are closing but shops like this are a thing of the past."

Plans from John Howell, of J&J Property, to convert the empty shop into a two-bedroom home state that the shop closed last February and go on to say that the plan would "provide a two-bed starter house aimed at local families or professionals who need to be working from home."

Cradley Heath councillor Julie Webb said she was pleased the building would be put to good use.

She said: "I'm all for it becoming a home because it will put an unused property into good use as they are desperate for houses.

"I'm always sad when a business closes down but the world is evolving.

"The old Frank Jones shoe shop a few doors down is now an arts studio.

"It was a landmark but times change and everything's evolving it will not be an empty building which then becomes a derelict building.

"A house will be a better option."