A new fish and chip shop at the Black Country Living Museum will be ready for customers by the end of the year, it was announced today.

Hobbs, which used to stand at 41-42 Hall Street, Dudley, is being rebuilt brick by brick on the Tipton Road site.

The early fast-food restaurant is starting to take shape with work said to be progressing faster than first expected.

Project manager Sue Fowler said: “Despite the rain we have managed to keep working as much of the work is undercover.

“We have got a very dedicated team who are striding on and making really good progress. We have got our fingers crossed that the team will continue working well and we will be eating fish and chips by the new year.”

The chippie, which closed in 2006, had a seating area and contained some fine examples of decorative glazed wall tiles.

Museum workers will be recreating how the shop looked like in the 1930s have previously appealed for people’s memories and old photographs.

The museum recently launched its sponsor-a-brick campaign to help raise money towards the new development. Sponsors can buy a brick for £10 and in return will be issued with a uniquely numbered certificate, given a vote of thanks on the museum’s website and have their names listed in the donors record book

Caroline Taylor, Campaign Manager said: “Our fish and chips have long been regarded as some of the best around, so we have to open this new, bigger building to deal with the number of customers wanting to try them.”

The new 1930s high street, Old Birmingham Road, will be the centrepiece of the £10 million expansion plan, partly financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

There will be a historic row of shops, in addition to Hobbs, including a butcher’s, ladies outfitters and wireless shop. Further improvements include the creation of visitor accommodation and a park area.