Wednesbury Town Hall has brighter future after big revamp

From hosting ballroom dances to staging visits from popstars, Wednesbury Town Hall is in great demand.

There has been a huge increase in the number of visitors, with an estimated footfall in the past three years of around 50,000.

This has prompted the six figure investment in the building which has included the creation of a new box office.

The interior has also been spruced up with a lick of paint and new fittings, and Sandwell Council housing staff have moved in to the improved offices.

A lift for disabled visitors has been installed, which takes the place of a storage cupboard, as well as a toilet.

Meanwhile councillors will also be talking to energy company Eon about the possibility of fitting 'down lights' to brighten up the building at night.

There is also a new box office telephone number for booking tickets, while the group that organises events at the hall, Wednesbury Celebrates, has taken on two caravans in Wales that people can book for holidays.

Councillor Elaine Costigan, who represents the Wednesbury North ward, has welcomed the refurbishment work.

She said: "It's nice to see a town hall coming back into use, and it gets pensioners out and alleviates loneliness.

"It's just absolutely wonderful, and great news for Wednesbury."

Keys to the building have been handed back to the council and the first event after the reopening is tomorrow night with the Wednesbury Community Awards.

They aim to reward people who work tirelessly for the good of their community.

People have been able to nominate their unsung heroes for eight categories. They are Improving the Environment, Bringing Communities Together, Working with Adults and Older People, Community Safety, Community Friendly Trader, Working with Children and Young People, Community Learning and The Wednesbury Star. Britain's Got Talent favourite and town hall regular Jean Martyn will be joined by the D-Day Darlings for St George's Day celebrations on April 24.

Jean rose to fame on the TV talent show in 2011 when she wowed crowds with her energetic keyboard playing.

The town hall was built at the rear of the Public Offices on Holyhead road in 1867 and opened on June 26 1874. In recent years the venue has gone from strength to strength and has recently announced former Pop Idol star Gareth Gates will be performing there later this year.

The celebrity recently returned to the limelight in the latest series of reality show The Reunion and after touring the UK with Dancing on Ice he will take to the stage on June 20. Organisers are expecting a crowd of at least 400 to turn out for Gates' appearance.

The Wednesbury Celebrates Community Association group, which manages events at the hall, have had a number of sell-out gigs at the centre and have already hosted legendary American band, The Drifters.

Tickets for events can be bought in person or over the phone on Monday and Tuesday 10 to 2pm, Wednesday 12 to 8pm and Thursday and Friday 12 to 2pm.

For more information on the venue visit www.wednesburycelebrates.org.uk