Dudley Hippodrome in fresh setback

The Rok Group, led by Wolverhampton-based businessman Jonathon Kendrick, withdrew their proposals last month following a breakdown in talks with Dudley Council.

Bosses claimed the deal fell through after they failed to reach an agreement over shared use of the car park serving Dudley Zoo and also for financial reasons – one which included the cost of removing asbestos.

The Rok Group claimed it had a 'verbal agreement' to use the car park – something that was later withdrawn.

They also hit out at leading councillors for failing to meet them over the proposed multi-million deal in the weeks before its collapse.Council leader Pete Lowe and UKIP group leader Paul Brothwood met members of the Friends of Dudley Hippodrome campaign group and council officials in the days after the announcement.

And they decided to invite The Rok Group for fresh talks after campaigners said they were 'appalled' that the deal had been allowed to fall through.

But The Rok Group has now turned around and said issues remain unresolved and they have also hit out at the 'political motives' of the councillors.

In a statement released by The Rok Group today it said: "The sudden new interest in councillors meeting us at the start of May and the timing of the general election was just too coincidental and we felt there was a political motive that we wanted no part of.

"The council are fully aware of the three conditions that have to be met before we are willing to reopen negotiations. One of these conditions is outside of their direct control, but both Dudley Council and Rok did initially have a verbal agreement for this condition in place which was then retracted by the then chief executive of the zoo.

"Until that is resolved, and the councillors internally agree to the other two conditions, any such meeting would be pointless and only used, in our opinion, to appease disgruntled constituents."

Councillor Lowe said: "We can confirm that The Rok Group does not wish to hold any further discussions as providing car parking on the zoo site is not something the council has any control of."

Friends of Dudley Hippodrome chairman Gordon Downing said: "We are bitterly disappointed that it is at a stalemate. We believe that the council have forced The Rok Group to walk away."

An extraordinary meeting of the council members is due to be held over the issue of the future for the Hippodrome on July 20.