Wolverhampton’s historic Royal Hospital, which has stood empty for the past 28 years, has been repurposed as homes for the over-55s.
Historic – funded by donations
The original build was funded by a £1,000 donation from local businessman George Briscoe and his friend Henry Rogers. It opened in 1849 as the Wolverhampton and Staffordshire General Hospital, later renamed by King George V as the Royal.
Stood empty since 1997
It closed in 1997 when its services were transferred to New Cross Hospital, and has stood empty and un-used until, in recent years, Walsall Housing Group (whg), supported by various partners, acquired the site.
whg has created 450 new homes on the site. The hospital building itself is now 38 apartments, all hooked up to ground-source heat pumps, for the over-55s. The remainder are new-build homes built nearby.
Royal Hospital much loved by the people of Wolverhampton
Various guests and media gathered to witness Pat McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton South East and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, cut a ceremonial ribbon to officially open the converted hospital, now renamed as Nightingale House.
Gary Fulford, whg chief executive, said he was delighted to breathe fresh life into “a building that is much loved by the people of Wolverhampton.”
Helping people help themselves – whg
Connie Jennings, whg’s director of stronger communities, said whg’s purpose is “helping people help themselves” by securing homes and routes into employment.
She said 82% of occupants of whg’s 22,000 homes, in Walsall and Wolverhampton, are in what is referred to as the “core 20” – the most disadvantaged 20% of the population most likely to need help securing employment.
