Hickory's Smokehouse fire: Take a look inside the devastated restaurant and find out the future for the fire-ravaged site
Work has started to rebuild a fire-ravaged restaurant in Wall Heath - as bosses confirmed a re-opening date for the venue.
Hickory's Smokehouse in Kidderminster Road was devastated by an accidental blaze sparked by a fault in a refrigeration unit.
Chiefs said 'minor demolition works' for the worst affected areas are now under way at the popular restaurant, based at the site of the former Kingfisher Club.
Building work is due to start later this year - with the hope of reopening in July 2017.
Hickory's Smokehouse manager Kris Perrin said: "We are so excited to be re-building the restaurant here in Wall Heath.
"We have had such an incredible amount of support from guests, residents and business colleagues in the area they have really given us the encouragement to raise from the ashes as it were and create a brand new Hickory's for the whole community."
The restaurant will be rebuilt, with work due to be completed by the middle of next year with a re-launch date of July.
A total of 15 fire crews were called to deal with the blaze with around 100 firefighters on the scene at its height.
Firefighters remained on the scene for more than 15 hours, while the A449 was closed in both directions as a result of the blaze.
Guests in 22 rooms at the Kingfisher restaurant and hotel complex next door were evacuated, while the fire service advised people in the local area to keep their windows closed.
The restaurant only opened in November last year, replacing iconic nightspot the Kingfisher Club.
A Hickory's spokesman said: "The Hickory's Smokehouse team have now confirmed that minor demolition works for the worst affected areas of the Wall Heath site are now underway in order to allow building work to start in late autumn.
"They are delighted to confirm that due to the overwhelming level of support they have received from the local area they will be rebuilding the restaurant and work is expected to be completed by mid-summer 2017 with a proposed re-launch date of July."
Councillor Dave Tyler said: "It's good news to hear that Hickory's is planning to reopen.
"It has a long history of being a focal point in the village as you come into Wall Heath on the A449."
