Restoration plea by Smethwick hotel saviour
The new owner of one of Britain's 'most endangered buildings' has revealed he wants the community to have its say in how it is restored.
Zafar Rashid snapped up the historic Waterloo Hotel in Cape Hill for £150,000 when it went up for auction last year, just weeks after the Grade II listed building was named in the Victorian Society's top 10 most endangered.
And now the 30-year-old solicitor from Birmingham has said he wants Cape Hill residents to be involved in its restoration, by telling him how they envisage it being used.
Mr Rashid, a partner with Perry Barr-based Britannia Law Practice LLP, said: "I personally feel this building is owned more by the community than its landlord.
"It's an iconic building and we need to come together to preserve it for generations to come. We want to bring it back to life, to return it to what it was, so future generations can actually see the building and its historic features. It's the local residents who will cherish and see the building every day, so if they can work alongside with me I would be very grateful."
He is now planning to speak to the Cape Hill community about how they feel the building should be restored.
But Mr Rashid has also issued a plea for them to keep an eye on it, as metal thieves and vandals have seen the building deteriorate in recent years. Already he says the police have added it to their 'watch list'.
He said: "It's a shame the building has been vandalised to this state. The more we can protect the historic features the better, it's in the interests of everyone, so if anyone does see anything strange, like a door open, please let the police know."
Work has already started on the ornate Edwardian pub, on Shireland Road, with the roof being fixed after lead was stolen. Mr Rashid estimates it could cost between £100,000 and £150,000 to restore, and he has not placed a timeframe on its completion.
still in working order and considered to be unique.
