Banks’ closure is sad news but could also be a new opportunity for Wolverhampton, says Mayor Parker

The mayor of the West Midlands says the closure of Banks’ brewery could mark the start of a new chapter in Wolverhampton’s history.

Writing exclusively for the Express & Star, Richard Parker supported our Bring Back Our Breweries campaign, saying it is vital that people support industries that are vital not only to our heritage, but to our economy.

Last month it was announced that Banks’ Park Brewery in Chapel Ash would close at the end of next year, 150 years to the day it opened in 1875.

Mr Parker said the closure would be a major blow to the town and particularly to the people who work there. But he said he would work closely with the Danish-owned brewing giant to ensure a smooth closure and care for workers.

He said he is also in talks with the company about the future of the property, insisting he will do everything possible to ensure the building does not go to waste or become an eyesore.

“I am committed to working hand in hand with the brewery, the council and local education providers to help workers transition into new jobs and careers,” Mr Parker said.

“This emphasis will be on support and ‘upskilling’ to ensure those who want to continue working become part of the future of the Black Country. Anyone who wants it will have access to training and support.”

Mr Parker said he had met with Carlsberg-Marston executives and asked them to work with him to find a suitable buyer for the site, rather than simply selling it to the highest bidder who could sit on the land for decades.

“Redevelopment of the site could create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, making it a destination that will serve the needs of the community for years to come,” he said.

“We must ensure that the closure of Banks Brewery is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new chapter for Wolverhampton.”

The Banks site will be crucial to the next chapter in Wolverhampton’s history, the mayor says.

Richard Parker, elected mayor of the West Midlands

Sadly and disappointingly, Wolverhampton’s iconic Banks’ Brewery has announced it will be closing its doors, bringing to an end a legacy that has spanned over a century and a half.

This is not just a business closing, it is the loss of an iconic and beloved part of our community. This is a moment of grief, especially for workers and their families whose livelihoods are directly affected. The people who have worked at Banks’s, often for decades, are the heart of the business, and their contributions to the region and community are immeasurable.

I met the brewery owners along with Steve Simkins – leader of Wolverhampton Council – to discuss what this means for the city and, more importantly, what we can do to ensure a positive future. Steve and I have made it clear that we will work tirelessly together to get what needs to be done. While the site will remain active and jobs will be maintained for another year, it is important that we start planning now to support those who will be affected.

I have committed to working hand in hand with the brewery, the council and local education providers to help workers transition into new jobs and careers. The focus will be on support and ‘upskilling’ to ensure those who want to continue working become part of the Black Country’s future. Anyone will have access to training and support. We can’t let anyone slip through our fingers.

However, there is a broader problem here. The site of Banks’ Brewery is of great historical and cultural significance. This is a stunning example of late Victorian industrial design and is worth cherishing and preserving. If we don’t act, there is a real danger that this could become another empty space left for destruction. And worryingly, it could lead to the same anti-social behavior that has blighted other former industrial sites in the Black Country. We’ve seen this happen before – in places like the former GKN plant in Heath Town and other areas where, once the industry leaves, no new use can be found for the land. We must learn from these mistakes and prevent Banks’ site from going down the same path. Empty, derelict buildings don’t just symbolize job losses – they become scars on communities, causing a feeling of abandonment and contributing to an increase in crime and disorder. We feel this acutely on some of our region’s high streets. I asked the site owners to not just sell it to the highest bidder who could sit on the land for decades, but to work with us to find someone who would be proud and ambitious for the site we have.

It is essential to preserve the heritage elements of the site, honoring its history and transforming it into a destination that meets the needs of today and tomorrow.

But we cannot be passive in this process. Politicians, businesses and communities must step up and take control of our future. When similar decisions affecting our region are being made elsewhere and out of our hands, we must be proactive in finding solutions that work for us. This means fully engaging with those affected and ensuring their voices are heard in the reconstruction process. I will ensure that the future of this site is a source of hope and not a symbol of neglect.

There are already positive discussions going on about how we can turn this challenge into an opportunity. By focusing on how we grow, we can ensure that those affected by the closure of Banks Brewery are not just left behind, but are able to succeed in new careers. In addition, redevelopment of the site could create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, making it a destination that will serve the needs of the community for years to come.

This is a difficult moment for Wolves, but it is also a chance for us to show what we can do if we work together and take control of our future.

We must take this opportunity to not only support those who are losing their jobs, but also to ensure a brighter future for the entire community.

That’s why I support the Express & Star’s campaign to support our breweries. These local breweries are part of our historical and cultural fabric, as well as a significant part of our local economy. If we are going to support the Black Country, then we must also support those who bring jobs, investment and real ale to our region.

We have faced challenges in the Black Country before and overcome them with determination and resilience. We must now ensure that the closure of Banks’ brewery is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new chapter for Wolverhampton.