AN iconic Kingswinford club which once played host to some of the entertainment world’s biggest names is undergoing a major transformation.

The Kingfisher Club, in Wall Heath, will soon get a taste of America’s Deep South when the venue is turned into the West Midlands’ first Hickory’s Smokehouse.

Set for an opening towards the end of November, the bar and barbecue restaurant is currently home to local building teams, who are working on the ground and structural redevelopment.

Jennie Grimes, spokeswoman for Hickory’s Smokehouse, said: “It has been so exciting to watch the work progress over the last five weeks.

“They are currently putting in the structural work for our children’s cinema room and are working hard to keep us on track for a November opening.

“We have had such a warm welcome from our neighbours and everyone in the local community. We started taking bookings last week and it has been lovely chatting to lots of local businesses and families excited to join us for their Christmas celebrations throughout December.”

Local MP Mike Wood donned the customary hard hat and hi-vis jacket as he was taken on a guided tour of the development’s building site.

The Dudley South MP said: “Having visited the Kingfisher many times I have been staggered by the extent of the building work being carried out.

“It’s a bold timetable for Hickory’s to be open later in the year, but at the same time it’s an exciting project that I think local people will want to experience with their families once they are open for business.”

Project manager Gareth Cooper, who showed Mr Wood around the site, added: “The team at Hickory’s Smokehouse is extremely excited to be opening in Wall Heath.

“This project will mark the company’s first venture into the West Midlands and the fourth Hickory’s Smokehouse.”

Once open, more than 60 full-time and part-time staff will be employed, including chefs, servers, bartenders and hosts.

Jennie added: “We had our first recruitment day earlier in the month and we were over whelmed to meet so many lovely people.”

For more information visit www.hickorys.co.uk, or search ‘Hickory’s Smokehouse Wall Heath’ on Facebook. To apply to be part of the new team of staff, email jobs@hickorys.co.uk