Delay over Safari Park venue date relaunch

The relaunch of a restored fire-ravaged mansion house in the grounds of West Midland Safari Park has been delayed, it has been revealed today.

Spring Grove House was expected to open in May for weddings and conferences.

But bosses have said it could now be towards the end of the year before the renovation, costing around £4 million, is finished.

It means the attraction is likely to miss the lucrative summer wedding season.

Only the four walls and chimneys remained standing after fire ripped through the 250-year-old building in the park at Bewdley on Christmas Eve in 2006.

More than three quarters of the restoration project has been completed, mainly on external features and brickwork costing £2.5m.

A further £1.5m is being spent on redecorating the interior with a lavish "African colonial" feel.

Park spokeswoman Wendy Jackson said although work was progressing well it was still too early to know when it would be ready to open.

"By the end of the year we will have an opening date. It is a specialist job and that takes time. It will be beautiful when it is finished."

It is believed the fire was started by an electrical fault in the Shepard Room. At the height of the blaze, 50 firefighters were at the scene battling to save the building. They managed to prevent it spreading to the kitchen.