£1m pub conversion opens doors to dining experience

A £1m renovation of a Wolverhampton pub has been completed with a bar and grill restaurant opening its doors this week.

The Island House on Stafford Road, to the north of Wolverhampton city centre, opened a fish and chip shop late last year and has planning permission to install an ice cream parlour.

10 jobs have been created initially, while the business has ambitions to utilise its private dining area as a meeting facility for companies during the day.

Andrew Calleja, the owner of A and F Catering which runs The Island House, said: “There’s a huge opportunity to do something more with The Island House – an iconic building in the local area.

“I want to create a full dining experience for everyone to enjoy – whether it’s taking home fish and chips from the takeaway, or trying other menu options at the restaurant.”

The renovation was part-funded by NatWest, with the bank providing £140,000.

Zoe Bament, relationship manager at NatWest, Wolverhampton, added: “Andrew has an ambitious vision for the future of one of the city’s oldest and best-known pubs. With a strong background in the industry and a wealth of experience, we’re proud to support Andrew in bringing the building back into use.”