The fire which began at Silver & Co accountancy, based on the first storey of the shopping complex soon burnt through the ceiling into the Penguin Cafe below.

Cafe Owner Diana Jones told the Express & Star:

“We were in early and could smell something burning but didn’t think anything of it because sometimes they burn things around the back,” said the 67-year-old, who has run the cafe for eight years.

“The ceiling is completely ruined and I am waiting for the insurance to come out to find out the exact amount of damage.

“We have lost three freezers filled with prawns, burgers and bacon though and that is thousands alone.”

Business affected by the fire include Elegant Frames, childrens’ shop Oh Baby and Portland Opticians, as well as several other firms in the block.

Jason Baso, who runs Elegant Frames told the Express & Star:

“We have had to throw away a few things like office chairs that have been smoke-damaged but I can assure all of the customers that all their precious pictures are safe,” he said.

“They were all locked away safely in cupboards and have not been touched at all. You can’t replace memories and a lot of people would be concerned about their pictures, but they are all safe.”

Firefighters from Fallings Park and Walsall were called  just after 7am on Saturday. There have been no reports of anyone being injured in the incident.

Police are now investigating and anyone with information should call Wednesfield Police Station on 0345 113 5000.

Read the full story at the Express & Star: Arson attack forces closure of precinct

One of three applications for Unit 4b seeks permission for a “Internally illuminated ‘Nandos’ fascia sign, two internally fluorescent illuminated menuboxes and one cockerel logo to be burnt into 150mm thick reclaimed oak boarding panel”…so it looks like Nando’s Portuguese, flame-grilled PERi-PERi Chicken is on the way to Wednesfield!

We’ve just spotted in the Essington Fruit Farm Newsletter:

At last the pick-your-own season has started!

We have lots of lovely strawberries, the recent rains have swollen them nicely and plenty are now ripening up. Other fruit crops will soon follow: gooseberries may be picked now but will benefit from a week or two to grow some more, raspberries and currants should be ready by the end of the month.

We also have lots of fresh vegetables ready now: cabbage and broccoli are ready at the moment, with caulis not far behind. We have beetroot, lettuce and sugar peas ready now, with traditional garden peas coming on shortly. Spinach is just starting.

Log on to our website to see our Summer Newsletter!

We look forward to seeing you regularly as you make the most of summer on the farm.

Best wishes from,

Richard, Mary and Will
Essington Fruit Farm

A new Pan Asian restaurant opens in Wednesfield at Bentley Bridge Retail Park on Monday 21st June.

Restaurant chain Cosmo which owns 10 branches across the UK opens it’s newest restaurant which will serve food from China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, Mongolia, India and Vietnam and has created 38 new jobs in the area.

The company has been fitting out the unit since January and is offering the chance of free food and drinks to those who register for more information on their website, where you can also book a table online.

Read on for opening times and prices…

TO MAKE A BOOKING, PLEASE CALL: 01902 722 233

Lunch

Monday to Saturday: 12:00 – 15:00

£6.50 – Adult
£3.00 – Child under 150cm
£2.00 – Minimum Charge

Dinner

Monday to Thursday: 17:30 – 22:30
£11.99 – Adult
£6.00 – Child under 150cm
£3.00 – Minimum Charge

Sunday (Bank Holiday): 12:00 – 22:30
£11.99 – Adult
£6.00 – Child under 150cm
£3.00 – Minimum Charge

Friday to Saturday: 17:30 – 23:00
£12.99 – Adult
£6.50 – Child under 150cm
£3.00 – Minimum Charge

More info on Cosmo’s website.

You may have seen recent reports on television news or in the newspapers of a weakness in the locks on UPVC doors. The weakness is currently being exploited by burglars in some areas of the UK.

This is a problem which is growing around the country.  Various methods are used by the burglars using simple everyday tools, allowing them to exploit an inherent flaw in the design of these Euro Profile Cylinders. The cylinders can be overcome in a matter of seconds.

The lock in question is not of any particular make, but is the type of lock fitted to the majority of UPVC, PVCu and some wooden doors throughout the world, it is commonly known as a Euro Profile Cylinder. It is the part which provides the key operation to the multi-point locking mechanism fitted to the door. No matter how secure or elaborate the multi-point locking mechanism is, if the cylinder is compromised the multi-point lock can be opened in seconds without difficulty.

How to check if you are affected:

If you have a double glazed door and your lock cylinder sticks out further than a few millimetres past the handle, it needs to be checked out.

I will gladly come and give a free no obligation security appraisal for WV11 readers, and the following prices also apply when mentioning WV11.co.uk:

Replacement Snap-Safe, anti pick, anti drill, anti bump Euro cylinder – £30
Door chain – £20
Door Viewer – £20

John Billau
Locks Around the Clock
01902 734270
07919 464274

The applicant (Mr H.S. Gill) has requested a change of use of the ground floor from retail (Use Class A1) to a dental surgery (Use Class D1).

View the full application here.

WV11 remains a not-for-loss project (we don’t make money from it, but we’re trying not to lose money), and whilst we won’t make much money selling ads every little bit helps us to cover our running costs (web-hosting) and the time we put into researching and writing news stories. From time to time we will also donate money to local charity events.

We are using the Addiply advertising platform which businesses can register with to display ads on the site – it’s really simple to sign up and you can choose between text or image based ads.

As this is something of an experiment we have decided to start by charging £5 per month for ads, which we think is pretty reasonable? (Visitor stats are available on request.)

If you’d like to advertise on WV11, you can buy ad space here or email / phone us on 07855 409 319 if you have any questions. Ad slots are available to local businesses and organisations within the Wolverhampton area, however we will prioritise WV11 based organisations.

We hope this service will be a great opportunity for local businesses to advertise to local people, so if you’re interested get in touch!

The Pheasant, which has been closed for some time is described as a “newly refurbished, community pub, with a huge potential to develop the drinks turnover and quite easily, with its stature and facilities, become the best pub in the area. Located in a highly residential area of Wednesfield, and in recent years having phenomenally sold over 1,000 beer barrels a year, this pub needs restoring to its heyday to once again become the local pub of choice. The Pheasant represents a superb opportunity for a landlord, pub manager or licensee looking to run a large pub business.”

Anyone seeking further information should contact Sandi Bellinger on 0844 848 3269 or email sandi.bellinger@punchtaverns.com.

Let’s hope some takes up this offer and brings another Wednesfield pub back from the brink!

Company handed Olympic boost
Express & Star

Securing the first in a chain of lettings at Bentley Bridge
Birmingham Post