The long-vacant site of the Strykers bowling alley in Bushbury has been put forward for redevelopment in a planning application that would replace the burned-out building with a mixed-use scheme, including a large self-storage unit and a coffee drive-through.
What is proposed
Under plans submitted by Strykers Development Ltd the site in Shaw Road would host a 17,000 sq ft Storage Giant self-storage facility, a Starbucks drive-through unit, office space and provision for 36 parking spaces. The application aims to bring back active use to a plot that has stood empty since a major fire more than a decade ago.
- Primary use: 17,000 sq ft self-storage facility
- Ancillary uses: drive-through coffee outlet (Starbucks) and office accommodation
- Parking: 36 spaces included in the scheme
Background to the site
Strykers bowling alley was gutted by a significant fire in December 2013 shortly after it closed, an incident that mobilised more than 100 firefighters. In the years since the blaze the site has fallen into disuse and suffered further damage, including theft of water tanks and copper piping. A previous plan for a Lidl supermarket on the same land was withdrawn in 2023.
"The current site is vacant with unattractive overgrowth and sits in a prime location along the busy Bushbury Lane. The proposed scheme will bring further life to this area with a variety of uses ensuring its continuous use."
The applicant says the scheme would maintain employment uses on the land in accordance with local planning policy and that the design allows flexibility so the storage building could be adapted for other uses should demand change, securing a long-term future for the plot.
Local impact and practical considerations
For residents and motorists, the proposals will raise questions about traffic, access and the visual impact of a drive-through on a busy stretch of Bushbury Lane. The inclusion of parking spaces and offices suggests the development is intended to attract regular local custom as well as storage customers. Planning officers will assess the application against local plan policies, highway safety, environmental considerations and any representations from neighbours or businesses.
Although the applicant frames the redevelopment as a means of removing an unattractive and underused site, the council and local people will weigh that against impacts such as increased vehicle movements and the loss of alternative uses that previous applicants have considered.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Self-storage | 17,000 sq ft (Storage Giant) |
| Coffee unit | Starbucks drive-through |
| Parking | 36 spaces |
| Other | Office space included |
The planning application will be considered by City of Wolverhampton Council. Interested residents can expect the usual consultation period and the opportunity to submit comments to the council’s planning department once the application is validated.
As proposals progress, scrutiny will focus on whether the scheme delivers the claimed economic and visual improvements while addressing transport and environmental concerns arising from development on this long-derelict site.
