London restaurateur revives derelict Birmingham vicarage into heritage chophouse
Gordon Ker, founder of the Blacklock restaurant group, has successfully transformed a long-derelict Victorian vicarage in Birmingham into a new chophouse, overcoming significant structural challenges and delays in the process. The venue, located on Cathedral Square, officially opened on Monday, April 20, offering sharing platters of meat, Sunday roasts, and generous pudding portions in a space designed to feel authentically historic.
A building with heritage and character
Ker explained that his team had been searching for a suitable location in Birmingham for several years, even before the Covid-19 pandemic. "We always want places with heritage, character, and a story that we can help bring to life," he said. "Moving into a glass box, while it works for many people, wouldn't work for us." This Birmingham branch marks the seventh Blacklock restaurant, joining five in London and one in Manchester, with previous sites including a former brothel, merchant's warehouse, and old meat market.
The decision to choose the Victorian vicarage was immediate for Ker. "Sometimes you just get a feeling," he recalled. "It didn't look anything like it does now but I just had a feeling." The building, which had never been a restaurant before, was derelict for a considerable period, with the landlord having redeveloped the upper floors while leaving the ground floor untouched until Blacklock's intervention.
Overcoming unexpected delays and structural issues
The restaurant was initially scheduled to open in autumn of the previous year, but unexpected delays pushed the launch to spring. A major setback involved the demolition of a thick wall that separated what was presumed to be a front room from the rest of the house. "That wall had to come out and it was much more troublesome than we thought!" Ker admitted. The meticulous restoration of period features, such as uncovered motifs and decorative ceilings, required careful planning and time.
Blacklock collaborated with Birmingham City Council's Heritage Department to ensure the renovations were appropriate for the historic space. "We've been blown away by the people here, and the support we've had from the city," Ker noted. The design philosophy focused on making the restaurant look as though it had always been there, despite the fresh paint smell, with wooden panelling sourced from an old museum and decor matching the original parish home details.
Creating a destination with a family vibe
Ker emphasized that Blacklock Chophouse is designed as a destination restaurant, not attached to any parade of venues, which he found perfect for the location. The space now features a vintage coat store, a welcome area, and an old pub-style bar, evoking the ambiance of a heritage boozer like The Old Joint Stock across the square. "All our restaurants should look and feel like a Blacklock but they're all slightly different because they're made for the buildings they're in," he explained.
The menu highlights sharing-oriented dishes, including vegetarian options, with "say when" pudding portions that allow diners to control their serving sizes. "There's very much a family vibe at Blacklock," said Ker, who has family in Birmingham. "We offer a very personable experience. It's a bit like when you cook at home and dishes are put in the centre of the table, so everyone can grab what they want."
Preserving history and looking ahead
The restoration has revived a building that had been forgotten, with Ker leaning into its Victorian heritage. "This is a Victorian heritage building, and we really leant into that," he stated. The venue offers stunning views of Birmingham, including Pigeon Park and the cathedral's stained glass windows, previously enjoyed only by the vicar who once lived there. With a focus on warmth and genuine hospitality, Blacklock Chophouse aims to become a cherished part of Birmingham's dining scene, celebrating the city's rich architectural history while providing a unique culinary experience.
