Go-ahead for £100k Wolverhampton student flats scheme
Around £100,000 will be ploughed into creating student flats at the top floor of a well-known Wolverhampton restaurant after plans were approved.
Bosses at Don Salvo, in Darlington Street, today said the move would help 'boost the local economy'.
It is hoped work to transform the top, and currently unused floor, of the restaurant into six student flats will start at the end of next month.
The planning approval comes weeks after it was revealed the restaurant was experiencing 'difficult times' due to the economic downturn.
Business is said to have dropped off by 58 per cent prompting the restaurant bosses to launch their proposal for the flats. But James Drago Ferrante, who manages the property and is the son of the restaurant owner, said the move would give the whole city centre a boost.
"At the end of the day, we're Wolverhampton through and through and in the city there are a lot of properties that are abandoned and derelict," he said.
"We decided to make the most of what we have and have invested money to make it more productive. One of the main attractions in this city is the university. If we can assist and provide more accommodation, it will bring more people into the city centre.
"It will help boost the local economy. If we do that, maybe other investors will follow suit," he added
The scheme for the flats was approved under delegated powers by planning officers at Wolverhampton City Council. The project will see the first floor, which is currently home to an unused cocktail bar and lounge area, turned into the flats. Each would have a double bed, storage and a desk.
The restaurant and bar which opened 23 years ago will be limited to the ground floor of the building as a result of the changes.
In 2011, the restaurant was put on the market when the Ferrante family threatened to leave the city centre amid complaints it was 'no longer up to standard'.
It was put up for sale with a price tag of £150,000 but the owners decided to stay put following talks with the local authority and other business bosses.
They said the decision to scrap controversial night time parking charges at nearby Fold Street car park had helped them decide to stay. Don Salvo was launched in 2006.
The family also ran its predecessor Geppetto's.
