Wednesbury High Street Heritage Action Zone

This project is focused on preserving and celebrating the town’s historic character while strengthening community pride and engagement through heritage-led regeneration.

This scheme is complete!

The Wednesbury High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) is a transformative initiative aimed at restoring, enhancing, and celebrating the town’s historic centre. The project was made possible through total funding of £2,645,516, comprising £1,321,988 from Historic England, £1,228,044 from Sandwell Council, and £95,484 in private investment.

Restoring Heritage and Revitalising the Town Centre

Delivered in partnership with Historic England, the project has seen significant improvements across Wednesbury’s conservation area. Major achievements include:

• Restoration of the Grade II Listed Clock Tower in Market Square, completed in Summer 2022.
• Return of the outdoor market to Market Square with new, sustainable market stalls featuring transparent solar panel roofs that feed energy back into the grid.
• High-quality repaving and landscaping of the square to create a more welcoming, pedestrian-friendly environment.
• Restoration of historic shopfronts and conversion of upper floors to support new uses, such as homes or businesses.
• A dynamic cultural programme to engage residents and foster community pride.

Key Elements of the Project

Historic Building Renovation – 8 Market Place
Originally constructed as a coaching inn around 1818 and known historically as The Green Dragon Hotel, this landmark building has undergone extensive repair and reinstatement works, returning it to its 1930s appearance. Key works included:

• Restoring the rendered façade and parapet.
• Replacing uPVC windows with double-glazed metal-framed windows in the original design.
• Repairing and cleaning faience tiling.
• Removing external metal shutters.
• Reinstating the ‘Butlers Brewery’ and ‘Green Dragon’ signage.
• Refurbishing the historic police box with a new roof and rainwater goods.

Public Realm Improvements
To enhance the heart of the Wednesbury Conservation Area, the project delivered:

• New paving using premium materials such as pink granite, Staffordshire Blue Brick, and Rowley Rag.
• A one-way traffic system to prioritise pedestrian safety.
• Enhanced landscaping, tree planting and upgraded street furniture.
• Creation of a vibrant, multifunctional public space for markets and events.

Clock Tower Renovation
A central symbol of the town, the 1911 red brick and sandstone Clock Tower designed by local architect Charles William Davies Joynson, was restored by Midland Conservation Ltd. Works included:

• Cleaning, repointing and repairing stonework.
• Restoring the clock mechanism and face by historic clockmakers Smith of Derby.
• Reinstating the bell chime and accurate timekeeping.
• These improvements have helped to re-establish the Clock Tower as a proud focal point of Wednesbury.

Cultural Programme and Community Engagement

Beyond the physical improvements, the HSHAZ also delivered an ambitious programme of cultural activities in collaboration with the We Are Wednesbury Cultural Consortium and led by local arts organisation Multistory. The programme celebrated Wednesbury’s rich cultural heritage and included:

• 119 events and activities
• 6,845 attendees
• 22 volunteers contributing nearly 600 hours
• A standout lantern processionheld in the newly enhanced Market Square

These events helped embed the legacy of the project in the community, promoting long-term pride and ownership of the town’s historic spaces.