The historic cinema in West Bromwich, closed since 2002, will be demolished as part of town center regeneration plans.
It shut down back in 2002, and the ground floor was later divided into shops. A Shelter furniture shop occupied the space for a time, but now it is empty. Demolition could start in April and might take about five months.
The cinema originally opened in 1975 as the first multi-screen cinema within Kings Square shopping center. Building a fifteen-story flat block, approved back in 2022, is also on the horizon.
These flats, dubbed a ‘vertical forest’, incorporated trees and plants into their design. Balconies featured shrubs for each floor, and an open-air garden podium was also planned.
The town center is undergoing a £15m makeover, including Kings Square Shopping Centre. While an indoor market faces delays, it is expected to open soon. The demolition of some sites aims to revitalize the struggling town center, with hopes for new investment and homes. The council has already purchased Kings Square and previously bought and demolished the old Wilkos.