In the 18th century, the world famous chain makers of Cradley Heath used to produce 1,000 tonnes of chain a week.   Today the town like many in the West Midlands is dealing with the decline of its traditional manufacturing industries, leaving behind redundant brownfield sites which are now ideal for regeneration and new investment.

The Liberal Club building is being developed on a new site after the club’s existing premises were acquired through a Compulsory Purchase Order by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in November 2004.  The club has since been housed in temporary accommodation nearby, but with work commencing on the new site this month, the new clubhouse is expected to be completed ready for occupation by the end of the year.

Left to right; Ken Naylor, Club Treasurer; Adrian Roddick, BK Partner; Alan Pearson, Harper Group and Dave Smith, Club Chairman

Adrian Roddick, partner at Bruton Knowles, comments, “We began working with the Liberal Club in 2003 when our CPO team dealt with the response to the CPO.  We have advised the club at each key stage of the process, assembling and project managing the development team and are now looking forward to the opening of the new premises by the end of the year.  

Located on Upper High Street and Newtown Street, the new purpose-built, two-storey 1,400 sq m clubhouse will include steward’s residential accommodation and a new bowling green. The new site is not far from its original location near to the centre of the town.  We did not want to move too far away as people associate the club with this location.  It was also an excellent opportunity for the club to support the regeneration of the town and to reiterate its own industrial heritage by choosing the old ironworks site.”

The Liberal Club has been a permanent feature in the town for more than 70 years and has played an integral role in the community’s industrial past and new economic future. First established in 1934, it was primarily a working men’s club where men could meet after work to socialise, over the years evolving to become more family and community orientated.

Dave Smith, chairman of Cradley Heath Liberal Club is looking forward to the new premises being completed: “We are currently using a number of portacabins as a temporary clubhouse while the new premises are being built. This is obviously not ideal for our 1,000 plus members so we are very keen to move into our new home which we expect to be completed by November/December 2006. The club plays a very important role in the town, providing a place to come and socialise and we are hoping that the new building which has been designed by John Price at Gould Singleton Architects, will allow us to continue to offer the community a focal meeting point.”

Alan Pearson, surveying director of the Harper Group developing the new club building comments, “As a brownfield site, the former ironworks is an excellent location for the new clubhouse. The strong historical links the town has to the industry and to the Liberal Club means that it is a very fitting regeneration and an ideal location for the club. Too often sites like these are left vacant if they are not taken for residential development, but hopefully this will stimulate further regeneration for Cradley Heath and provide impetus for more development around the site.”    

Tony Plant, Cradley Heath Liberal Club secretary and member for over 30 years comments, “I have lived in the town all of my life and have witnessed many changes.  At one time heavy industry was the heart and soul of many Black Country towns like Cradley Heath, which boasted a thriving chain making industry.  Although the industries have declined elements of the community that grew up around them like the Liberal Club have endured and gone from strength to strength.  I am very proud that we will be relocating onto the old ironworks site and that we will have excellent new facilities for all of our members and the wider community to use and benefit from.”