THE closure of a Stourbridge bar where a young man was stabbed to death has sparked calls for a change of use in future.

Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb has called for "a different approach" to be taken following news of the closure of the bar, known as Soda Lounge, which opened last autumn in The Ryemarket following the closure of the old Chicago's nightspot where Ryan Passey, aged 24, was killed in August 2017.

Ryemarket manager Kelley Dyas confirmed Soda Lounge had "ceased trading just before lockdown came into force" and the unit, which overlooks Stourbridge High Street, has been advertised to let via James A Baker chartered surveyors who specialise in the licensed, leisure and commercial sectors of the property market.

The unit is advertised as a 'restaurant/café/retail opportunity with prominent frontage onto a busy location' and says it is available by way of a new sublease on terms to be agreed.

The family of Ryan Passey who continue to fight for justice following their son's tragic death say they would like to see the building used to benefit the wider community.

Jason Connon, spokesman for the Justice for Ryan campaign, said: "It gives us no pleasure to see this business fail, but I feel they may if underestimated the emotional importance of the venue to Ryan’s family, friends and the wider Stourbridge community."

Suzanne Webb MP said: "It is disappointing to see a local business close down. There needs to be a different approach to how this unit in the town centre is to be used, considering the tragic events that culminated in Ryan's death, to ensure something here can survive in the future."