Walsall's boatyard set to become restaurant

Restaurant chain Piri Fino will convert Wharfingers Cottage into a 60-seater eating spot after a planning application was approved by Walsall Council.

Bosses at the company, which has outlets in Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield, aim to open the restaurant by the end of February.

Work to convert the building, which will cost up to £200,000, will start immediately.

The cottage has been derelict for a number of years and the target of vandalism and graffiti. It has now been left boarded up.

It was originally used for the loading of goods from the canal.

The chain has seen the likes of Jay-Z, Beyonce and Lionel Richie dine at its Birmingham branches, with bosses aiming for the same success at Walsall.

Piri Fino director, Andreas Elia, said: "It's an exciting project, one we hope will bring much success to Walsall, which is our first franchise in the area.

"We're hoping to start work immediately after getting approval from last week.

"We aim for it to be a takeaway-style dining experience and it will be a different eatery option.

"It's looking to cost no more than £200,000 to revamp and restructure the cottage to our requirements and we're aiming to have the restaurant finished and opened by the end of February.

"We've had no opposition or any negative feedback for us to establish a restaurant here, so it's very good news and we're looking forward to getting started."

The town's waterfront has seen considerable interest and is anchored by the iconic New Art Gallery.

More than 650 designer homes, office space and an eight screen cinema complex will be added to the area.

The retail project will also include Hungry Horse, Bella Italia, Pizza Express and Chiquitos.

The scheme, which has been developed by Jessup Build Develop, will cost £65 million in total and is expected to create around 230 jobs.

A Premier Inn has already opened with 100 beds and a restaurant, while 300 homes were built several years ago.

Walsall councillor Aftab Nawaz praised the news and emphasised the positive impact of jobs coming to the area.

He added: "This new and diverse restaurant will bring yet another positive feature to the borough and the complex itself.

"It is fast becoming a vibrant place and looks to get in even better in the future.

"Jobs have been created, business are looking to build there and people have all kinds of new options available to them. It is really good news."

Walsall Council's deputy leader, councillor Adrian Andrew, said this latest news is another key piece in the jigsaw of regenerating the town.

He said: "I'm delighted to see Walsall growing and this news of a new restaurant, along with all of the others, is absolutely great news.

"With the cinema being due to open early next year, I am confident that the Walsall public will very much appreciate this bespoke cinematic experience.

"The Light offers a unique social vibe and meets the individual and collective needs of the community."

"People are not going to be disappointed with the Waterfront once it is all finished.

"It should be emphasised that so many businesses are showing such confidence in establishing themselves here. This is Piri Fino's first franchise in the area and I have no doubtsa it will be a huge success once opened in February.

Regeneration work is continually being carried out in the town and a Primark opened in August as part of the revamp of the Old Square Shopping Centre this summer.

In 2010, director Mr Elisa opened his first Piri Fino takeaway on Dudley Road in Birmingham.

Its high-design premises were worthy of a trend-setting restaurant.

The company has gone on to be awarded Birmingham Healthy Choices Gold Award.