Birmingham brothers to open new restaurant in historic city site
Two brothers who have 40 years’ worth of experience in hospitality in Birmingham are opening their latest venture in a newly-renovated canal side building which has lain empty for many years.
Paul and John Havelin – the owners of the Jonathans in the Park eatery, which is based in the 18th century grade II listed Lightwoods House in Bearwood – are opening a new restaurant in the city’s Roundhouse.
Jonathans in the Roundhouse will be the sole food and drink outlet in the Roundhouse, which is alongside the Birmingham canal.
Paul Havelin, joint owner of Jonathans in the Park said: “Me and my brother have lived and worked in Birmingham all of our lives so having the opportunity to build two businesses in two beautiful locations in the city is an absolute honour for us.
“We have built our original restaurant ‘In The Park’ over the last five years and through the very difficult lockdown period, to be a hub for the local community to enjoy. Providing delicious food, good company, a warm welcome and friendly atmosphere, is our passion so having an opportunity to do that again in another beautifully restored historic venue is incredibly exciting.”
Paul began his hospitality career in the renowned Jonathans restaurant in Oldbury forty years ago, under the guidance of owners Jonathan Baker and Jonathan Bedford who trained him from being a schoolboy washer up to head chef by the age of seventeen.
The original and famous Jonathans restaurant was established in 1977.
When Paul and his brother John, who is the business’s front of house host, decided to open their own venue Jonathans in the Park, in 2017, they received permission to prefix the name from original owner Jonathan Baker, with the aim of continuing the special tradition of the restaurant to deliver British dishes.
Paul said: “As two local lads who were born and raised in this area, we remember playing in Lightwoods Park as children – I would never have believed that I’d be continuing the original Jonathan’s legacy in not one but two historical buildings in the city.
“It’s a huge achievement for us to be launching our second venture just five years later. I owe it all to my mentors, who took me under their wing and taught me everything there is to learn about the hospitality industry.
“To also be embarking on this incredible journey with my brother to keep Jonathans alive in Lightwoods Park and now at our new city centre location is a privilege, and we’re so proud to be involved in the revitalisation of the Roundhouse to cement this as a leading Birmingham leisure destination.”
Roundhouse Birmingham, a heritage enterprise and independent charity, has been created through a partnership between the Canal & River Trust and National Trust to find a new purpose for the historic building.
Chris Maher, creative producer at Roundhouse Birmingham, added: “The full-scale renovation of the Roundhouse began in 2019 and the project has given the building a brand-new purpose in the area.
“Jonathans in the Roundhouse is one of the final pieces of the puzzle to help bring this incredible site back to life and it feels fitting to be working with such a well-loved local business that has also played an instrumental part in the city’s history.”
