Gigantic banqueting hall to open in Birmingham

The former car showroom in Yardley will become a huge event venue

Author: Josh HorrittPublished 23rd Oct 2022

A gigantic banqueting hall, with space for 700 guests and male and female prayer rooms will get underway in Birmingham. The former car showroom is set to be reborn into a huge events venue to host weddings and birthday feasts.

The site on Stockfield Road in Yardley, a previous Vauxhall car dealership, has been vacant for several years, but will now be transformed following approval at today’s (Thu Oct 20) Birmingham Council planning committee. As part of the plans, the banqueting suite will be split into two halls with seats for 420 and 280 people respectively.

Female and male prayer rooms, respective changing rooms, as well as two kitchens, two male and female toilets, a dry store, and a furniture store, are also included. The plans had stirred up a host of objections from local residents including one local MP, Jess Phillips who said: “Noise concerns have been raised and conditions should be attached to minimise impact and should ensure that the construction is in accordance with noise assessment.

“Parking provisions within the site are insufficient and should include provisions for parking minibuses and coaches. The proposal also does not include sustainable travel provisions.”

A total of 62 residents had also raised similar objections but in a vote of seven for and one against, councillors voted to approve the proposal. In response to neighbours’ concerns about parking and noise a council planning officer said that considering the proposal would provide 219 car parking spaces, the “provision is sufficient.” He also noted that there is already significant noise from the main road next to the site.

The planning officer said: “In terms of noise, the nearest residential properties are on the other side of Stockfield Road or the canal. We believe the building itself can control the noise, and as the site sits on a very busy junction and it is believed the noise generated from the site will not be higher than the existing noise levels. “

After minor changes to the appearance of the site, the hall will open its doors from 6pm-11pm Monday to Friday and 12.30pm to 11pm on weekends, including bank holidays. The banqueting hall would also employ 10 full-time employees and 30 part-time staff.

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