Desi grill plans for empty Wolverhampton canalside pub

Desi mixed grills could soon be served from an empty Wolverhampton pub under new plans to bring the canalside venue back into use.

By Local Democracy Reporter Christian Barnett
Published

A planning application to City of Wolverhampton Council asks for permission to re-open the Boat Inn in Wednesfield as a desi mixed grill restaurant.

The grade II listed pub on the corner of Church Street and Graisley Lane off Wednesfield High Street closed in 2020 and has been empty since.

An application to re-open the pub was approved in 2024 but the plans were never carried out.

The proposed opening hours for the new desi pub would be 10am to 11.30pm from Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 11pm on Thursday, 1-am to 1.30am on Friday and Saturday and 12pm to 11.30pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

Boat Inn, Church Street, Wednesfield. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.
Boat Inn, Church Street, Wednesfield. Pic: Google Maps. Permission for reuse for all LDRS partners.

Desi pubs offer Indian curries and mixed grills alongside traditional beers and ales and the venues have flourished across the Black Country and Birmingham in recent years with many opening across Wolverhampton.

A statement included with the application said: “The primary use of the building will remain as a community pub with the majority of sales expected to come from the pub use.

“The hot food will be available to customers to sit and eat inside like a restaurant or order and take away. Internal seating will be available for all customers and not separately denoted.

A delivery and collection service will be offered for the hot food takeaway use.

“Delivery will be outsourced to companies such as Deliveroo and Just Eat within a small delivery radius, therefore most delivery drivers will be using bikes to deliver food.

“On-street parking is available for a limited time and there are 24-hour public car parks available within a short walking distance from the pub for customers visiting the pub or collecting hot food and delivery drivers.”