AN empty historic shop in Quarry Bank has been brought back to life as the home of a social enterprise working to help the elderly.

The building in the High Street has been vacant for the last few years – having last been used as a hair salon.

A plan had been approved in March 2023 to turn the building, number 167 High Street, into five apartments.

But Sarah and David Andrews, who run Gourmet Meal Care, have taken it on and transformed it into a hub for their home delivery meal service for the elderly.

The venture, which has been operating from premises in Dudley Road, Brierley Hill, provides hot home-cooked meals to local elderly and disabled residents along with a daily welfare check.

Bosses Sarah and David, however, decided the building in Quarry Bank would be a perfect place to relocate to and they have spent the past three months renovating it.

Sarah said: “We are so pleased to have secured this historic building so that it can remain a high street business. We feel that it can add character and interest to the existing shops which would have been lost if it had become residential over-development.”

David added: “It has taken a lot of work and £200,000 has been invested into it to bring it back to life but we know the result will be worth it. The building is over 200-years-old and with the building having no damp course and being stood empty for so long the damp was really starting to set in.”

The building, which has been named ‘Porter House’ in a nod to Sarah’s late grandmother who Sarah started the business for in 2009, now boasts a large commercial kitchen, large storeroom, two workshops for local craft makers and soon will offer two one-bedroom flats.

As well as the meal delivery service, Sarah also aims to start a lunch club with a two-course meal and entertainment every Tuesday from midday to 1.30pm at nearby Quarry Bank Community Centre.

Gourmet Meal Care, which has been shortlisted for a ‘best customer service’ award at the Dudley Community Awards 2024, is set to officially launch the new venture in Quarry Bank on Monday November 4.