A historic Birmingham hotel that has stood empty for ten years is preparing to welcome the public once again, this time as a vibrant Nigerian restaurant.
A New Chapter for a Local Landmark
The Dogpool Hotel on Pershore Road in Stirchley, which dates back to the 1920s, will officially reopen as Empress African Restaurant on Saturday, November 22. For the past decade, the building has sat largely abandoned, becoming a forgotten part of the local landscape.
During the extensive renovation work, a section of the property has been operating as an African supermarket, offering delivery services to the community. Now, the transformation is complete, and diners will soon be able to experience what the owners describe as 'the best of modern African hospitality' within the walls of the restored building.
The Vision Behind the Transformation
The venture is led by husband-and-wife team Oyetola and Olusegun Akande. Oyetola, the head chef and co-founder, brings expertise in West African and European fine dining to the table.
"We want every guest to feel transported - to feel the pride of Nigerian culture while enjoying first class service," she said.
It was Olusegun who first spotted the potential in the derelict Dogpool Hotel earlier this year. He explained their motivation: "We saw potential in this historic site not just as a building, but as a space to revive with life, flavour, and purpose. Our goal was to create a place where Birmingham can experience the best of modern African hospitality in one location."
From Overlooked to Vibrant Community Hub
The couple express great pride in giving the beloved local building a new lease on life. "It's incredibly fulfilling to see our restaurant come to life in this building," Olusegun added. "The Dogpool Hotel meant a lot to many locals, and we're proud to give it a fresh chapter filled with positivity, creativity, and culture. It's a story of transformation, turning what was once overlooked into something vibrant and unifying."
This is not the first Empress restaurant for the entrepreneurs; they already operate a successful branch on Cecil Street in Newtown. That establishment has earned high praise on Google reviews, with customers frequently noting the 'excellent and amazing' food and '100/100 customer service'.
The new Empress African Restaurant is located at 1063 Pershore Road, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 2YJ, marking an exciting new culinary destination for the city.
