Asian Wedding Venue In Aston To Get Modern Upgrade

An Asian wedding venue in Aston will be given a modern upgrade after plans were approved for the creation of a first-floor terrace, following support from planning experts at Marrons.

The Grade II-listed Victorian tram depot, in Trinity Road, was transformed into the Majestic Conference & Banqueting Hall in 2013. Since then, it has become a haven of cultural celebrations, with two banqueting halls accommodating up to 400 guests.

As part of the approved plans, owner Taz Ulfat will demolish and replace an existing and unauthorised wooden canopy with a new enclosed and glazed first-floor terrace. Improvements will also be made to the visual appearance of an existing single-storey extension, and a new street entrance from Witton Lane will be created to align harmoniously with Aston’s evolving urban landscape.

The plans seamlessly align with the ongoing redevelopment of Aston Villa Football Club’s iconic Villa Park Stadium – situated a stone’s throw from the Majestic Conference & Banqueting Hall – and the broader master plan for the neighbourhood, which will see significant public realm enhancements and the creation of dynamic open space.

The building was constructed in 1882 and was the first purpose-built tram depot in Birmingham. Originally, the home of steam trams, the building was converted to electric trams in 1904 and remained in operation until 1949. From the late 1980s, it became the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, but closed in 2011 due to funding issues.

Sachin Parmar, planning director at Marrons, who led the plans, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have secured planning permission that will enhance an already successful wedding venue in the heart of Aston, while preserving the character, significance and appearance of one the area’s most historical buildings.

“We are extremely thankful to Birmingham City Council officers for their invaluable pragmatic advice to get this application over the line. The positive pre-application discussions and the granting of listed building consent reflect the strong collaboration and shared vision between us, the council and our client.

“Demolishing the existing wooden canopy is a positive step towards the continuing preservation of this historic site’s authenticity and charm. The grandeur of the venue will be enhanced through the addition of an enclosed, glazed first-floor terrace, designed with sensitivity to the building’s rich past while embracing the demands of modern aesthetics.

 
“Acknowledging the importance of visual coherence, the single-storey extension is set for a contemporary reimagining, seamlessly blending the old with the new. A new street entrance from Witton Lane, a thoughtful addition, increases the building’s legibility and aligns harmoniously with the area’s evolving urban landscape.”

Adam Partington, partner at Marrons, assisted with expert heritage advice. Simon Stanion, planning partner at law firm Shakespeare Martineau, provided legal advice as part of the application. The design was completed by Leicester architecture firm DSA and the concept design was by Lapworth Architects.