Restoring Molineux Hotel

Introduction

The Molineux Hotel was a favourite venue in Wolverhampton for more than 150 years. Its fine Georgian architecture and elegant rooms were popular across the region for functions and social occasions. It was closely associated with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, and went on to become a landmark in its own right.

During the late 1970s the hotel fell into decline before closing in 1979. A succession of different owners neglected the hotel, and when fire struck in 2003 the future looked bleak.

More recently Wolverhampton has been revitalised by new investment and opportunity, buoyed by elevation to city status, and confidence is high once again. Many regeneration projects are changing the city for the better, building on its proud heritage and rich culture to provide a strong start for the 21st century.

The restoration of the Molineux Hotel is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about returning a symbol of pride to the city, and showing that Wolverhampton is strong once again.

History

The Molineux Hotel was originally built as a private residence in around 1720, and went on to become the home of the Molineux family for more than 100 years.

Under new ownership from 1860 it became a hotel and the grounds became pleasure gardens and a major venue for sporting events.

In 1901 the Hotel was acquired by local brewers W Butler & Co, who continued to run the hotel as a business. However, the
growth of the town began to encroach on the hotel itself, with its land being sold off to accommodate other developments, including a wellknown football stadium.

In addition, the construction of the Ring Road in 1969 made access more difficult. By 1979 the hotel was in a state of disrepair and finally closed.

After its closure the hotel was neglected by different owners, and fell victim to decay and vandalism. The Council fought attempts to demolish the hotel and assisted a number of developers in putting forward plans to restore the building,
but these were not forthcoming.

After the failure of successive owners to properly maintain it, the Council served notice on the owners to carry out repairs or risk losing it to compulsory purchase. During this process a fire struck in June 2003, causing extensive damage.

It destroyed the roof and floors, and left the walls in a very dangerous condition. Finally the Council purchased
the building through negotiation and within days contractors were on the site working to restore the hotel and bring it back into use.

Funding for the purchase and repair work came from the Council, Advantage West Midlands and English Heritage. After nearly two years of the most intricate repairs, the wraps are now off the Molineux Hotel, which is already showing some of its former glory.

Brickwork, wood panelling, the roof, clock tower and fine ornate plaster have all been meticulously restored and repaired to the highest standards, and in some cases from original sketches and plans found in Wolverhampton archives.

A new home for the Archives

The Council considered many options for the reuse of the building, for commercial uses and public functions. The decision is to adapt and extend the Molineux Hotel to provide a new home for the City’s Archives and Local Studies service.

Planning permission and listed building consent have been obtained and the Heritage Lottery Fund is giving substantial financial support to the project.

The Molineux Hotel will be adapted to the most widely accessible standards possible, and the listed building will be restored and protected to the greatest possible extent, in a new landscaped setting.

The Molineux Hotel allows many improvements to the Archives and Local Studies service, where individuals and groups can research and learn about their local and family history. The Council will seek to reach wider audiences and encourage greater than ever use of the facilities.

The new Repository will provide state-of-the-art storage and conservation facilities for documents that will be in safer keeping than ever before. There will be more and better space for inspection of documents, whether on microfilm, the
internet or originals, and more room for displays and educational events.

The Archives will be housed in one of Wolverhampton’s most loved landmarks, a use that will bring new life, public access and purpose to a listed building that was at serious risk of being lost. The lasting public interest in the Molineux Hotel
shows not only a strong affection for it, but also its importance for the regeneration of the City.