The devastation of a landmark Kingswinford restaurant and night spot following a major fire is a tragic loss to the Black Country according to a heritage expert.

The iconic Hickory’s Smoke House, built in the 1930s, was completely ruined by the fire on Thursday.

Flames and plumes of smoke could be seen for miles after the restaurant, on the A449 Kidderminster Road in Wall Heath caught fire.

The venue, which is more commonly known as the Kingfisher Club, was designed by a notable Dudley architect GF Webb and was known for its unusual thatched roof. Despite this it had not been given official heritage listing.

Architectural historian Andy Foster said: “Hickory’s was built in 1937 as a lido - it was very fashionable when it was new.

“It was designed by GF Webb, who liked architectural jokes, and gave it a thatched roof. There’s nothing else like it in the Black Country or elsewhere - except the thatched house Webb designed on the Rowley Road in Dudley.

“It’s a very sad loss indeed.”

A huge plume of smoke rises from the Hickory's Smoke House restaurant.
A huge plume of smoke rises from the Hickory's Smoke House restaurant.

When it opened in the 1930s it was famous for having the UK’s only Olympic sized lido outside London and a popular destination in the summer.

After the second world war it became a famous live music venue, the Kingfisher Club, and hosted a galaxy of top music and caberet stars, including Jerry and the Pacemakers, Bob Monkhouse, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Frank Carson.

A decline in customers led to its sale and closure last year. After which it was converted and reopened as Hickory’s Smoke House.

Watch Below: Firefighters tackle blaze at Hickorys Smoke House in Wall Heath

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