New location identified for vibrant food and drink ‘box space’ in city centre

St Peter’s Car Park has been identified as the location to establish an exciting new venue for food, drink and socialising in Wolverhampton city centre.

The move - in keeping with the City Centre Local Plan and new Our Future City Centre strategy to bring together car parking in the right places and free up space for new development and public areas that people enjoy - is subject to approval by City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet on November 18 and Scrutiny Board six days’ later.

Following an expression of interest exercise, the preferred and recommended route to deliver the scheme is to secure a development partner to design, build and operate - or appoint a third party to operate - the box space and generate a commercial rent under a 25-year lease.

Cabinet will be asked to approve the new approach of going direct to market for a development partner supported by the offer of a grant up to £5.5million from the council’s Revolving Capital Investment Fund.

Once operating, the venue could attract up to half-a-million visitors a year, boosting footfall, local jobs and the wider city centre economy.

The box space would bring to fruition a long-held ambition to create a bold, modern space where residents, students and visitors can eat, drink, meet friends and enjoy a buzzing atmosphere - adding something completely new to what the city already offers.

A number of councils are using these venues to activate their town and city centres, in the process supporting independent businesses, driving evening economy growth and creating vibrant destinations that attract younger and family audiences.

The new venue would tap into Wolverhampton’s growing evening and night-time economy and respond directly to the region’s first Evening and Night-time Economy strategy - launched last autumn - which highlighted the need to expand the city’s food and leisure offer.

A market assessment by independent experts (Leisure Division) highlighted a strong and growing demand for food-hall‑style destinations, even while traditional food and drink businesses face tougher trading conditions nationally.

Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader and Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “We’ve wanted to bring a box space to Wolverhampton for a while, and the new preferred route to market with an identified location will speed up the process and enable us to secure a strong development partner.

“This is a chance to create something really special - somewhere that feels authentically ‘Wolves’, gives people more reasons to spend time in the city centre, and attracts visitors from across the region.

“Alongside major investment like the £83million Smithgate development, the transformation of The Halls and huge upgrades to public spaces, safety and lighting, this new venue will help make our city centre an exciting, vibrant place day and night.”