Historic Pendrell Hall set to be wedding venue
An historic council-owned hall in the South Staffordshire countryside will be brought back to life as a wedding venue and hotel after its transformation was given the go ahead.
The Grade II-listed Pendrell Hall, in Woods Road, Codsall, had been used as an adult education college since 1961. The Victorian building was put up for sale for £2 million by South Staffordshire Council in July 2011 and soon became a target for thieves and vandals. The price has since been cut to £1.25m and the building is now under offer.
The application for a change of use was made by Ben Reeves, who owns and runs two other successful wedding venues in the Staffordshire Moorlands and Northamptonshire with wife Sarah Reeves.
The owner of the family-run business said a substantial investment would be put into the site to get it ready to accept wedding parties in time for summer 2013.
He said: "We are always interested in period properties, we had noticed that the building was up for sale about a year ago and thought it was right for us. We will be very pleased to get our hands on such a beautiful building."
Mr Reeves said that a final decision on the sale should be made by Monday.
If it goes ahead construction work is planned to begin as early as next week. The refurbishment will see a comprehensive restoration carried out to the main hall's interior and extensive improvements made to its 1960s accommodation to provide 25 rooms for guests.
The new venue will also provide around 30 jobs to people in the area.
The main building, which dates back to 1870 and is set in six acres of countryside.
