Rebuild vow over mansion
Bosses at West Midland Safari Park today pledged to restore an historic mansion house which was ravaged by fire.
The blaze destroyed Spring Grove House banqueting and conference centre.
Today the Express & Star can reveal there are plans to restore it to its former glory in a scheme that could cost millions of pounds.
An outstanding new attraction at the park will also be revealed in the next few days.
Managing director Ivan Knezovich said: "Staff are working closely with English Heritage and the Wyre Forest Conservation Team about the plan and architects have already been appointed. It is anticipated that the rebuild will start within six months.
"This is a massive undertaking and we intend employing local craftsmen wherever possible, with an aim that the premises are open again for business during the summer next year."
A number of artifacts were rescued and they are to be used in the new interior design.
Spring Grove House was built for Samuel Skey who began life as an apprentice grocer in Bewdley and amassed a fortune through the manufacture of dyestuffs and sulphuric acid.
He had the house built after buying 270 acres of land from Lord Foley in 1775. It was completed in 1790, landscaped by Capability Brown and frequently visited by the painter John Constable.
The fire, thought to have started from an electrical fault in the Shepard Room on Christmas Eve, destroyed the house, leaving only four walls standing.
At the height of the blaze, 50 firefighters were at the scene battling to save the building. But while they failed to save the interior of the house, they managed to prevent the blaze spreading to the kitchen and a more recently added south wing.
Mr Knezovich said the park would be fully open to visitors on February 10 and "an outstanding new attraction" is set to be revealed in the next few days.
By Sue Smith
