New chippie the Ocean Basket prepares to set sail

Work to convert the former pub into the Ocean Basket takeaway and restaurant in Wordsley has taken nearly a year to complete, and bosses hope that the new venture will help boost the town near Stourbridge.

Bosses today said they had to rebuild the interior of the building, in High Street, from "the ground up" due to its condition when they took it over.

And regular drinkers at the pub would hardly recognise the inside of the building which has been extensively redecorated and fitted with new equipment.

A centrepiece of the new colourful design is a decorative fish tank near the main entrance and a boat which is built into the ceiling.

One side of the site is a dining area which is fitted with wooden tables and chairs. Bosses confirmed that they would open next Wednesday, employing 20 people.

Spokesman for the restaurant Spiros Bojouri said they had received around 250 applications for the available jobs.

"It was very difficult to make a final choice because everyone who applied was excellent but our decision has now been made," he said.

"It has taken a lot of hard work to get this far and I am very proud of the result. We want this to be a boost to the town.

"There are exciting plans for this area and we want to be a part of that." Mr Bojouri previously set up the Goodies fish and chip shop in Pensnett. His sister Andrea Yiallourou is now running this so he can concentrate on the Ocean Basket.

"This is the last development I will be working on," he said. "We are here in Wordsley now. This is where we want to stay and focus on. It is very exciting to be opening soon."

The new chip shop will open from midday until 10.30pm.

The site was previously the Vine pub and prior to that was part of the Mad O'Rourkes brand.