Oldbury hotel Jonathans set to reopen

A landmark hotel and restaurant that closed down after its owners went into administration is to reopen in September - creating 25 new jobs.

Jonathans in Oldbury will reopen as four-star Accor All Seasons Hotel following a multi-million-pound revamp.

Renowned for its traditional English cooking, Jonathans was Sandwell's most famous restaurant and went into administration in October.

In May Black Country entrepreneur Shiv Kumar Sharma, managing director of Brierley Hill-based hotels and property group Fortmere was granted the licence for the new hotel by Sandwell's licensing bosses.

Mr Sharma was one of the directors of Jonathans Ltd and his property portfolio includes Wolverhampton's Park Hall Hotel and a Ramada in Oldbury.

Jonathans, which was a three-star, 45-bedroom hotel, had been running for 30 years and attracted around 300 visitors a week.

Fortmere spokesman Mr Ken Latham said today: "It is scheduled to open at the end of September. There shouldn't be a planning application as it is just internal refurbishments.

"Obviously the closure was sad in view of the fact such a well known restaurant closed, but we are really looking forward to reopening."

Residents living near to the Wolverhampton Road hotel had objected to the new hotel over concerns about the level of noise the entertainment would cause.

However, developers have said the function room would be used for conferences during the day and would not host weekly "disco" type activities, but events such as weddings.

At the licensing panel hearing on May 6 Mr Dan White, representing Jonathans, said: "What we want to do is create a high class establishment and there are millions of pounds being spent on the purchase and redevelopment of the premises."

He added: "Nobody else is currently offering to buy the premises so it isn't the case that somebody else will jump into the fold.

"Nobody else is currently bidding to buy it off the administrators. This is its first shot and only shot at present to turn it into a profitable business."

The hotel has been asked to instal a noise limiting device is installed and ensure all windows and doors are closed when there is entertainment.