Residents join campaign to tidy up ‘top shops’

The row of stores on Ashmore Park, Wednesfield – known locally as the ‘top shops’ –  have been left to fall into a “sad and sorry” state, says ward Cllr Phil Bateman.

Fellow Wednesfield North councillors Mary Bateman and Rita Potter (Lab) recently met with officers from Wolverhampton Homes – which owns the buildings – to carry out a site visit at the parade on Higgs Road/Griffiths Drive, where they highlighted their concerns.

The shops are located next to the circular 59 bus terminus, and safety fears have been raised over the number of cars parking around the main stop and pulling out in front of buses, which stop there every 6-7 minutes.

Cllr Phil Bateman said: “I have been contacted by a lot of residents who are especially concerned about parking around the shops. Because there isn’t adequate space, drivers are constantly parking their cars on the grass area next to the parade and have worn away all the grass. Now it’s just a churned-up muddy mess.

“We requested a meeting because we are perturbed with the sad and sorry state of this important public facility. The shops, which have flats above, have been there for a long time but have had little work done on them over the years.

“The brickwork on the buildings isn’t good and they have become a blot on the landscape. There are also four abandoned garages there that we have asked to be pulled down, as they haven’t been used for decades. It’s generally very scruffy.

“Another of our concerns is that twice last year lorries making deliveries at the rear of the buildings collided with the gates, and one of those has now been removed. There are some serious safety issues with vehicles in general.

“Some plans need to be pulled together. Obviously, the work won’t happen quickly but we feel some resources need to be spent. We raised our concerns strongly with the officers who have taken them on board and will keep everyone informed on progress as it’s made,” he added.

After Cllr Bateman voiced his concerns, a number of local residents took to social media in agreement with the issues raised – many complaining about the parking problems, and especially the unsightly state of the adjacent grass area being turned into a sea of mud.

A spokesperson for Wolverhampton Homes said: “We have met with councillors and provided assurance that we are working closely with the City of Wolverhampton Council to improve the area.

“Together, we are looking into ways we can improve the green spaces and vehicle management. Discussions are also ongoing regarding the disused garages.”

The shops are known as the ‘top shops’ due to their geographical location on the estate, and also to differentiate them from the larger ‘bottom shops’ at the lower end of Griffiths Drive.

Ashmore Park was originally built as an overspill estate and has been part of Wolverhampton since 1966 when the majority of Wednesfield was incorporated into it. The estate mainly consists of council houses, flats and bungalows dating back to the 1950s.