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Dudley Hippodrome to open again in months, campaigners claim

Dudley Hippodrome could be open to the public again within months, the group behind a proposed rescue package has revealed.

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A group led by Gary Blick say they are confident they will be able to come up with the funds to take over the historic building.

The businessman and music promoter from Kidderminster has held talks with the council and is planning a proposal to take over and run the venue.

Mr Blick, who is part of the Friends of Dudley Hippodrome, joined others inside the historic theatre for a visit on Friday.

The visit was mainly restricted to the balcony area of the theatre due to concerns over asbestos, a move which drew frustration from the friends group.

Members were joined by experts who assessed how much they were likely to need to restore the building on Castle Hill.

They now have until the end of the month to confirm their interest in taking over the building.

Mr Blick said work to renovate the Hippodrome could begin within six months if they are able to come to an agreement with the council.

He claimed that it could be back hosting events again in just 'seven or eight months' if the scheme comes to fruition.

Mr Blick said: "The idea is for it to have theatrical use, live music and to be a conference venue. There are multi-purpose options. The plan is to continue to put the project together and come up with a full package.

"It could take up to six months to clear the asbestos but the idea is once the asbestos is cleared we can get our own guys in and start clearing the building."

The Friends group is still in the process of trying to raise the seven-figure sum it needs to buy the building. Members have already applied for Heritage Lottery funding and are now investigating acquiring European funding.

There is another interested party and although Mr Blick admitted the deal was far from done, he said he was optimistic his group, which consists of around a dozen members, would be able to secure the Hippodrome.

The group's interest has provided the venue with an unlikely lifeline after a £8 million deal with Wolverhampton-based entertainment company The Rok Group collapsed.

Mr Blick added: "When the Rok Group pulled out I felt it was time to get back in and try to get it saved. I think both (interested) parties should work together. I'm very confident something will happen with that building, it won't be demolished, it will be saved."

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