Landmark hotel set for new lease of life

A landmark hotel and restaurant that closed with the loss of 25 jobs after its owners went into administration could be back in business if talks succeed.

Jonathans in Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury, was closed in October.

But its original owners are now hoping to buy it back from administrators Smith & Williamson.

Black Country entrepreneur Shiv Kumar Sharma, managing director of Brierley Hill-based hotels and property group Fortmere, has applied for a new licence from Sandwell Council.

And Fortmere spokesman Ken Lathem today said: "Mr Sharma was one of the directors of Jonathans Ltd, which we are trying to buy back from the administrators.

"We are in talks and are making progress.

"The idea is to commence trading as soon as possible."

Fortmere's property portfolio includes Wolverhampton's Park Hall Hotel and Ramadas in Oldbury, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Warwick.

Jonathans, which was a three-star, 45-bedroom hotel, had been running for 30 years and attracted around 300 visitors a week.

It was Sandwell's best-known restaurant.

The licence application for Jonathans will be decided on May 5.

People living nearby have objected on the grounds of crime, disorder and public nuisance.