Molineux Hotel opens to the public

Released: Friday, August 25, 2006

Wolverhampton City Council will be opening the doors of the historic Molineux Hotel to the public in September.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see how the landmark building has been restored and what is still to be done at two open events being held as part of the national programme of Heritage Open Days.

The open events are also the first to take place since it was announced that plans to locate the city’s Archive and Local Studies service in the Grade II* listed building had moved a major step forward thanks to a £3.3 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise, said: “The Molineux Hotel is one of Wolverhampton's most recognisable buildings, and this is a fantastic opportunity to take a look inside, and see how some of the historic interiors have been recreated and returned to their original glory.

“Visitors will also have a glimpse into the planned future role for the building, one that will give it a new lease of life and ensure it is accessible to the people of the city.”

The Molineux Hotel will be open to visitors from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Thursday September 7, and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday September 9.

Archives staff will be on hand to answer questions about the planned move into the building, and photographs and other documents relating to the history of the Molineux Hotel, all of them taken from the city's extensive archives, will be on display.

Entrance is free, and staff will also be available throughout to show visitors around the building.

Prior booking is not required and car parking will be available next to the building. 

A building has stood on the site since at least 1720. From 1744 the building was home to the Molineux family, and became a hotel in 1870. The hotel fell into decline in the late 1970s and closed in 1979, after which it was neglected by a series of different owners before suffering severe damage in a fire in 2003.

Wolverhampton City Council purchased the building in February 2004 and embarked on a restoration programme that has included the repair and restoration of the roof and clock tower, wood panelling on the walls of the Oak Room and decorative plasterwork in the Rococo Room.

The plans to house the city’s archive centre in the former hotel include the building of a new annexe to be a new home for the archive records. The existing building will house public reading and study rooms, plus a conservation studio, meeting rooms, offices and reception.

Wolverhampton City Council has submitted applications for planning permission and listed building consent. Work to prepare the building to house the Archive and Local Studies service could start early next year.

Issued by the Press Office.