Dudley News
Continental-style Stone Street Square plans back on the table
3:26pm Monday 6th February 2012
PLANS for a new continental-style cafe area in Stone Street Square are back on the table, as part of Dudley’s regeneration programme.
Contracts were exchanged late on January 31 to transform the former Carver’s Cafe in Priory Street into a bar and restaurant.
The building, which has been boarded up for almost a decade, was the town’s former fire station in 1892, and the new look will pay tribute to its history by featuring two large arched doorways.
It has not been revealed who has taken over the premises, but council bosses say work is expected to start this year.
The plans for a bustling cafe culture in the square was originally announced in the summer of 2009, but fell through due to funding.
The latest project is just one in a long-line of transformations planned as part of the multi-million regeneration plans for the town.
Other upcoming projects include refurbishing Holloway Hall, which is adjacent to Carver’s Cafe.
Regeneration bosses are also looking to install vinyl facades to a handful of empty shop fronts in the town centre following a successful trial in King Street, with the former Millets and McDonald's buildings top of the list.
Meanwhile councillors are also calling for King Street to be re-opened as a main travel route, after being turned into a bus lane a few years ago.
Speaking at Central Dudley Area Committee, Dudley Council leader, cllr Les Jones, told members “We are going to look at fixing King Street, it does need relooking at.
“It is a very important element of the overall town plan and does need reopening.”