New deadline set for Dudley Hippodrome

Dudley Council bosses say the Friends of Dudley Hippodrome group and events company Events that Rok have until the end of October to bring revised proposals.

It comes as consultants employed by the council say around £400,000 would have to be spent clearing asbestos from the building in order to make it safe.

The friends' group and Events that Rok, which have both submitted plans to run the venue, have been granted one-off access to the building to check on its current state and make any further assessments.

Yet officials say the visit can only be made by wearing protective masks and clothing due to the levels of the substance exposed inside.

Regeneration boss, Councillor Judy Foster, today urged the two groups to meet in a bid to reach a consensus for the future of the derelict site.

But she said a decision on its future will be taken by the end of the year to 'avoid further deterioration' of the Hippodrome building.

Councillor Foster said: "The council has always stated it will look with an open mind at any viable options for the future use of the building. As part of this commitment we have agreed to give the friends group access to parts of the building which are safe to enter as they have requested this in order to support the development of a revised business plan.

"The council's consultants have advised that the total cost for dealing with the asbestos in the building is likely to be in the region of £400,000."

Chairman of the Friends of Dudley Hippodrome, Gordon Downing, said: "We are still working independently at the moment.

"We are looking to do a more detailed financial report. We didn't initially put enough financial details in there, not through the want of trying. We are looking for some help with this. The building is deteriorating but that's because the council should be doing more to stop any leaks in the roof. The building is under its control."