The Richard Spooner Column: Mixed fortunes�
What a bitter sweet week it has been for Birmingham. While we are looking forward to the re-opening of The Grand Hotel next week, we received the devastating news that Opus, one of the favourite eateries and bars in the city centre, is to close for good.
A brief statement from the owners of the Cornwall Street venue - headed by managing director Ann Tonks - announced the news sadly just a few days before indoor dining is allowed to resume in hospitality venues following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
The statement, in part, read: “We are heartbroken to announce we will not be able to open our doors as planned. ”
We are heartbroken too for the loss of a venue that has been host to many Chamber and other events and we wish Ann and her team every success for the future. I would not be surprised to see them bounce back.
It was ironic that as we heard about the demise of Opus, details of the opening of the Grand Hotel, just over 500 yards from the restaurant, were emerging.
The Grand has been lying dormant for 20 years but now after a £45 million refurbishment it has been restored to its former glory and will operate under its German-born general manager, Peter Klienest.
I, of course, remember its opening on February 1, 1879 and I am grateful to my friends at Wikipedia for reminding me that there were then 100 rooms - but a further 60 were unfinished at the time of opening.
Other facilities included a restaurant with an entrance fronting Church Street, two coffee rooms and stock rooms. The stock rooms were an exhibition space where businesses could demonstrate their new products and were built as the hotel aimed to attract most of its clients from commercial visitors from out of town.
In 1890, the hotel operator fell into financial difficulties, and the owners, as they are today, Hortons' Estate Ltd, decided to revamp the hotel to appeal more to the luxury market.
From 1890 to 1891, the majority of the interior of the hotel was refurbished, much the same as today, at a cost of £40,000.
The hotel's heyday was in the early 20th century, when it played host to royalty, politicians and film stars as well as staging many dinners, concerts and dances in the Grosvenor Suites. King George VI, Winston Churchill, Neville Chamberlain, Charlie Chaplin, James Cagney and Joe Louis attended functions or stayed in the hotel at that time.
Despite its previous success the hotel experienced mixed fortunes but in 2012 the owners started a refurbishment which will result in the famous building coming fully back to life next month.
As Peter said, the “stunning restoration ” will mark one of Birmingham 's best-known buildings restored being restored to its former glory.
We are happy to toast that - as well as the possible rebirth of Opus�