£500,000 Oldbury banquet scheme go-ahead

The £500,000 expansion of a 1,000-seater function hall in Oldbury, which will create at least 10 new jobs, has been passed by planning chiefs.

Bosses will extend Samsons Banqueting Suite by 7,000 sq ft and add an extra floor at the Rood End Road hall to cater for weddings and christenings.

The landmark development is also due to feature a tower over the existing entrance as a "focal point".

The scheme had been held up because of concerns of lack of parking spaces.

Developers revised the number of spaces and the proposals have now won approval from council officers, under delegated powers.

Samsons director Sukhjindr Dhillon, who has been in charge of the venue for seven years, employs seven staff. He said the expansion will create 10 jobs.

Sandwell planning committee had rejected plans in April last year for the scheme because of concerns that the 93 car parking spaces were not enough.

Owners came back with a proposal for 124 spaces, as well as five disabled spaces, and five spaces for motorcycles and pedal bikes.