After years of abandonment and a police lockdown linked to drug activity, a historic canalside pub in Wednesfield is set to reopen its doors as a desi mixed grill restaurant following a £300,000 transformation that has left locals emotional.
The Boat, located at the corner of Church Street and Graisley Lane, had been empty since 2020 after being shut down by authorities amid concerns over drug abuse. Wolverhampton Council approved plans for the pub to reopen as a desi mixed grill restaurant last September, and work began in January this year.
A labour of love for Wednesfield
Co-owner Avtar 'Goldie' Singh, 46, who grew up in Wednesfield, has poured around £300,000 into the redevelopment. He said: "I want to do something special – when people come here, they should say, 'You know what? We've got something here in Wednesfield.'"
Singh explained that his friends persuaded him to take on the project. "My mates forced me to do this – they're all family people, and they said, 'Do something. We know you're going to make this place look wow.'"
Transformation details
The interior has been completely overhauled with marble-effect walls, glittering pictures, and murals of Punjabi music legends. However, the team has preserved elements of the pub's original character, such as using the old floorboards to create a ceiling upstairs.
The Grade II-listed building, which overlooks the Wyrley & Essington Canal, dates back to the early 1800s. When it reopens in August, it will bear little resemblance to its troubled past. Singh described the pub's previous reputation as the "cocaine and cannabis capital" of the area, adding: "The reason the police shut this place was because of drugs."
Emotional community response
During the renovation, locals have shared their memories of The Boat. Singh noted: "Since January, the amount of people walking past and telling us stories has been amazing. A lot of people have emotion related to this place."
One incident particularly moved him: "Last week, a lady walked in and started crying. Her husband used to work here. She said, 'It's bringing back a lot of memories. I'm glad you guys are bringing this place back to life.' This feels more like being part of Wednesfield, part of the community, rather than just a business."
Navigating red tape
The project, however, has faced obstacles. As a Grade II-listed building, The Boat is subject to strict regulations. Singh expressed frustration: "The Grade II-listed buildings are getting abandoned because nobody wants to touch them. The council and heritage bodies need to be more flexible. Why are people not touching these buildings? Because they make your life harder rather than supporting you."
He cited an example: "We put in air conditioning. The planning officer said, 'You can't put aircon here.' I said, 'Why?' Luckily, I found old pictures showing aircon units already existed on that wall. So basically, they don't want to help – they just create more problems. That's why this country is losing its history."
Despite the setbacks, the team is finalising the restoration, and The Boat is due to reopen in August, promising Wednesfield a revitalised landmark and a new dining experience.
