Stourbridge craft shop could be transformed into craft pub

The Crafty Jar is the next contender in a long line of pop-up breweries springing up across Dudley.

But, a local resident in Stourbridge has pushed back against the plans citing recent pub violence and stabbings on Stourbridge High Street.

The plans, which would see the new pub setting up shop in a former arts and crafts shop on Lower High Street, include seating for around 40 customers.

Plans do not include any outdoor seating and only additional customer toilets would be added. A representative for the Crafty Jar said the pub would “breathe new life into the area”.

The representative continued: “It is respectfully suggested that the proposed change of use would be a positive asset to Lower High Street and Stourbridge town centre as a whole, breathing new life into this area of the town.

“This would accord with the aspirations of the Dudley Borough Vision which amongst other things seeks for ‘vibrant towns …. offering a mix of leisure, faith, cultural, residential and shopping uses’ and The Council Plan which includes a desire for 'a strong hospitality sector and the vibrant night-time economy'.

“There would be no detrimental impact or harm caused to the identified designated, and any non-designated, heritage assets and there would be no adverse impact or harm caused to the Stourbridge Conservation Area.”

But, one resident disagreed with the plans, saying the new bar would be just a stone’s throw from a children’s nursery and a job centre and would be nothing but a “nuisance”.

The resident said: “The High Street is very busy, particularly at night when it is dominated by big bars which attract large crowds, as part of Stourbridge’s ‘night-time economy’. Lower High Street has a high level of residential dwellings (80+ properties or 63 per cent) and just 47 commercial businesses (37 per cent). It’s entirely foreseeable that locating a large bar in a quiet mixed‐use street with a high concentration of residents, will lead to noise and nuisance, particularly at night to the detriment of those who live on Lower High Street.

“This bar would also be located close to a children’s nursery (“Shooting Stars”) at 168 Lower High Street and the Job Centre Plus at 169 Lower High Street. I’d respectfully suggest that locating a bar close to a children’s nursery isn’t ideal and the Job Centre already has to have security personnel on the front door to deal with argumentative and sometimes aggressive claimants.

“Since 2017 there have been two notable outbreaks of violence in Stourbridge town centre at The Bell public house which led to its license being revoked and at Chicago’s nightspot where tragically a young man, was stabbed to death and the venue was later closed.

“Adding yet another large bar to Stourbridge town’s list of ever‐increasing bars clearly adds to the risk of more antisocial behaviour; crime and disorder as more people are attracted into the area.”

The planning application for the bar has now been lodged and residents will be notified when it appears before Dudley’s planning committee.