The historic former King George V pub in Northfield is still hopeful of attracting potential buyers for the property.
The magnificent building, which takes a prominent position at the corner of Tessall Lane and Bristol Road South – has recently (November) appeared on Zoopla, all be it under a different agent.
There is no lead price on the commercial property platform – those interested in purchasing this Grade II listed building would need to contact Siddall Jones Limited – however, we can tell you that in 2020 the price was dropped from £1.25 million to £1.15 million for the acquisition of the iconic building.
Watch video of interior from 6 years ago.
The MP for Northfield, Laurence Turner said: “I know we’ve been here before. The ownership and redevelopment of this building has been a saga for far too long, to the detriment of residents in the immediate area.
“The pub building is an important part of the area’s architectural heritage.
“I want a sensitive and commercially viable use found for it.
Birmingham City Council, as the responsible agency, has provided only limited information on enforcement over the last two years. I’ll expect to see more evidence that they Council is fulfilling its statutory responsibilities towards this listed building ahead of any sale.”
King George V Pub
The King George V public house was built un 1935 for Mitchell and Butlers, designed by John Burgess Surman in a Jacobean domestic revival style. Rendered in brick with ashlar plinths, mullion windows, gables and arched doorways, the public house was Grade II listed in 2001 due to its features.
As well as the building’s exterior, the interior still had some interesting original features at the time of listing, especially on the first floor. These include a timber queen-post roof with curved braces and mouldings, wall-panelling, a barrel-vaulted ceiling and original stone fireplaces – one even having a moulded plaster heraldic lion and dog above.
When listed, The King George V was described as: “a good example of a large Birmingham road house.”
The Emerald
After the turn of the millennium, with ‘The George’ no longer a pub, the building was used as as a popular Chinese restaurant, and is still referred to by many as “The Emerald”.
King Khan controversy
Most recently the building was the King Khan’s Indian restaurant, with the owner causing controversy in 2014 after failing to reach an agreement to continue to be home to the King George V Bowling club, which had been based at the site since it was opened in 1937. This affected the popularity of the restaurant and it rebranded as the Old King George Balti House in 2016. However, the building was out of use by the beginning of 2017.
Planning applications
Since the restaurant’s closure, owners have submitted three applications for change of use to a care home – all of which were withdrawn before being put before planning committee.
In February 2019, submitted plans for a KFC drive thru restaurant were also withdrawn after a KFC outlet opened nearby in Longbridge town centre at the beginning of January.
Planning permission is understood to have been granted for the conversion of the existing building into 13 residential apartments, under Birmingham City Council planning application reference 2021/02524/pa.
Interested parties wishing to purchase the listed freehold site and buildings which is approximate 1.19 acre (51, 836 sq m) – can find out more information and arrange to view by visiting Siddall Jones Limited.
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