Wolverhampton Dilshad to stay as restaurant freehold goes up for auction

For the past three decades the distinctive building on Berry Street has been home to another popular restaurant,The Dilshad, which is set to stay say bosses.

Over the years the restaurant hosted many dignitaries, celebrities and royalty. And it was a magnet for stars appearing at the nearby Grand Theatre – reputedly comedian Les Dawson even used to order takeaways from there to be delivered to his home in Lancashire.

Other stars to have been photographed there include former pin-up Linda Lusardi, former Hi-de-Hi! actress Ruth Madoc, actor Christopher Biggins and former EastEnders actor John Altman. Not to mention The Chuckle Brothers, The Grumbleweeds, comedian Jon Richardson and actor Robert Powell.

Now the freehold of the Grade II Listed building is up for grabs, with a guide price of £375,000 to £400,000, at an auction next week at Villa Park.

The Dilshad, with a bar, 60-cover dining area and a large commercial kitchen, occupies the ground floor, while the first floor has a function room with a further 60 covers and bar. Bosses say it will be business as usual, regardless of the freehold sale.

The property is one of a number of highlights of the sale which features 70 residential vacant properties, 20 residential investments, 18 commercial vacant, seven commercial investments, two ground rents and 18 development opportunities.

Head of auctions Jonathan Hackett said: "It is again an extremely full catalogue and already we have received lots of interest.

"We have seven properties on behalf of Birmingham City Council, six for Wolverhampton City Council, two from the Canal & River Trust, plus a former day centre, Regis Lodge, 50 George Avenue, Rowley Regis, guide price in excess of £180,000, a Sandwell Council instruction."

Also going under the hammer is the former Brierley Hill Labour Club, Insight House on Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, for between £155,000 and £180,000, and two units on Middlemore Industrial Estate, Smethwick, guide price £175,000 to £190,000, and £60,000 to £65,000.

A land sale features a site off Bentley Drive, Walsall, guide price £235,000 to £245,000, with planning permission for 11 houses.

Also on the market are a number of former pubs, including the Grade II Listed Abbey Hotel, at the corner of Abbey Road and Thimblemill Road in Bearwood, up for at least £375.000, The Swan Inn, Coltham Road, Willenhall, with offers over £150,000 invited, and the former Yew Tree, Chester Road, Kidderminster, described as a classic example of former licensed premises ripe for conversion to an alternative use, with planning permission for the development of six four-bedroom town houses, three two-bedroom apartments and conversion of the pub itself to a three-bedroom house, guide price £400,000 to £425,000.

A modern farmhouse complex in Staffordshire - Withysitch Lane Farm lies, off Potsmans Lane in Milwich - is being sold, with a guide price of at least £995,000.

The auction, organised by SDL Bigwood takes place next Thursday(7th) at the Holte Suite, Aston Villa FC, starting at 11am.