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Wolverhampton Council taxi licensing headquarters set for move as construction begins on new council facility
Construction has started on a new Wolverhampton council facility that will become home to the authority’s taxi and private hire licensing operation.
City of Wolverhampton Council confirmed on Wednesday 14 October 2026 that building work was underway at its Hickman Avenue site following the completion of demolition works.
The authority has appointed construction contractor McPhillips (Wellington) to deliver the development, which will accommodate taxi licensing alongside council fleet workshops and other transport services.
Council services are expected to begin relocating to the new premises towards the end of 2027, although a specific opening date for the taxi licensing facility has not been announced.
The taxi licensing operation currently occupies premises at the former Loxdale Primary School. That site is earmarked for future housing development.
The move will bring licensing services together with the council’s fleet operations, which are currently based at Culwell Street in Wolverhampton city centre. The new development will also accommodate the authority’s travel unit, allowing several existing council operations to be consolidated at one location.
The project is particularly relevant to taxi and private hire licence holders who use Wolverhampton’s licensing services, including drivers and vehicle proprietors based outside the city.
Councillor Qaiser Azeem, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Resident Services, said: “It is great to be breaking ground on this critical scheme for the city. The new purpose built depot will enable the relocation of important council services to a more suitable base.
“The Hickman Avenue redevelopment will ultimately ensure the sustainability of essential frontline services by consolidating, rationalising and optimising our operations. It will lead to reduced energy costs and asset maintenance and support the transition of the council’s combustion engine fleet to EV.
“As well as rationalising the council’s estate, this is also a critical step in bringing forward the regeneration of a strategically important brownfield site through the Brewers Yard scheme to deliver huge benefits in terms of jobs, investment and homes that will help rejuvenate our city centre.”
Andrew Dunham, McPhillips Director, said: “It’s great to be on site at Hickman Avenue and we’re proud City of Wolverhampton Council has chosen McPhillips to deliver this scheme.
“Once this facility is built, the council can move its services across and get on with building new homes on the land they leave behind. That means more homes, more construction work and more jobs for local businesses and local people. The building itself will also help the council run a cleaner and more sustainable fleet.
“This is the kind of public sector work we want to be doing. We look forward to working closely with the council and its staff to deliver a facility that serves Wolverhampton for many years to come.”
