Old hall could be ‘city’s Claridge’s’ Councillors back hotel plan for landmark

THE hotel moving into one of Birmingham’s finest historic buildings could rival London’s world famous Claridge’s, it has been claimed.

It will also see Birmingham’s landmark Central Methodist Hall fully repaired and reused after years of deterioration and neglect and see it removed from the national Historic England’s Heritage At Risk register.

Councillors were unanimous as they approved plans to convert the distinctive 115-year-old hall into a 147-bed hotel, with ground-floor shops and restaurants and a basement nightclub.

Ciel Capital is developing the building and has already struck a deal with operator Dream Hotel Group. It is the American luxury hotel group’s first UK venture.

The Methodist Church relin- quished the hall in 1991 when it was converted into the giant Q nightclub.

But it has been closed for the best part of 15 years. Successive plans to convert it into offices or flats have never progressed from drawing board.

Ciel chief executive Vedrana Riley told Birmingham City Council planning committee the company had bought the hall last year. She said: “This is the renovation and rejuvenation of the iconic Central Methodist Hall. Our team has been working tirelessly with planning officers to develop the best plan possible.

“The hall has sadly fallen into a state of disrepair. This will bring it back into constructive use and remove it from the Heritage At Risk register.”

Objectors to the plan have complained about the opening of a new basement nightclub and “overintensive” use of the building.

They highlighted the murder of a clubber in 2008 and feared a return to rowdy behaviour.

But Ms Riley responded that the basement club would be a much smaller affair and had the backing of Birmingham’s live music community.

Cllr Gareth Moore (Cons, Erdington) described the hall as an architectural gem. “It’s use as a quality hotel is a good one, I am sure it will be well used and successful.”

Cllr Peter Douglas Osborn (Cons, Weoley) added: “I’m sure it will compete with Claridge’s.”

Birmingham City Council Leader Ian Ward said: “This exciting development will give the beautiful building a new lease of life. Big things are happening in Birmingham at the moment and the new Central Hall is a spectacular mixture of the old and the new.

“The project will also create jobs and training opportunities for the people of this city.”