The Crown Inn on Long Acre Street in Walsall could be closed and demolished if plans are approved by Walsall Council.
An application from Gurmeet Shocker states that the public house, which has held a beer license prior to 1882, has never recovered from lockdown with the number of customers falling.
If approved, the property would be transformed into 14 flats.
Agents JBVJ said: “We feel the loss of the Crown Inn will not be detrimental to the area as there are a number of similar public house facilities within close proximity of the site in a more convenient location.
These are Rock Steady Eddie’s – 80 meters from the application site, The Pretty Bricks – 100 meters from the application site, Desi Starr Inn – 245 meters from the application site and The New Navigation Pub – 500 meters from the application site.
“The Crown Inn has seen a decline in patronage due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has created an inability to attract and retain new and existing customers.
“Its current state means it adds to the existing decline of character and activity, yet has the potential to be a landmark residential building for the local area.
“The very nature of public houses depends on attracting and retaining local custom.
“For this reason, the redevelopment of the public house is not economically viable for the applicant as they would require a good level of business which has since dispersed to other venues within the local area to the inability to modernise in the post-pandemic era.
“As the site currently stands, the opportunity for redevelopment allows the opportunity to enhance natural surveillance within the area and to complete the redevelopment of the whole site improving the overall street character.
“We feel that our proposal demonstrates a suitable response to the sensitivity of the area whilst also ensuring there is a not a detrimental effect on the local community.”
In better news for local pubs, The Swan on the Pelsall Road is due to re-open soon after Black Country Ales agreed to re-furbish and re-open the pub in the new year.