Jobs boost as landmark restaurant to reopen

Landmark Black Country restaurant Jonathans will reopen alongside a new hotel next week, creating 25 jobs, the Express & Star can reveal today.

Dutch-born businessman Zishan Zaman has taken over the site in Oldbury and will open the new Birmingham Best Inn on Tuesday.

The iconic restaurant, based within the hotel, will also reopen and remain as Jonathans under the plans.

The 25-year-old businessman, who already owns the Mary Rose Inn in Kent and is based in Slough, said negotiations had been under way since the beginning of January after the property was marketed through Christie + Co. He said room rates would start at £30.

"It is going to be a big asset to the Birmingham area," he said.

"We try to offer affordable accommodation for families that cannot afford to spend any more money.

"That is why we are successful.

"We have purchased this one because it is better to put something into the market that is affordable these days.

"We are keen to open as soon as possible. The property being closed is losing us money."

Renowned for its traditional English cooking, Jonathans, on the junction with Hagley Road and Wolverhampton Road, was Sandwell's most famous restaurant.