Express & Star

Friends of Dudley Hippodrome pledge not to give up fight to save landmark from bulldozers

A campaign group trying to save Dudley Hippodrome from being knocked down say they will not give up fighting until the historic landmark has gone.

Published

Friends of Dudley Hippodrome has been given until the end of the month to put a realistic package for taking over the building together. Dudley Council wants to demolish it and replace it with an open public space.

Bosses have said they want the building flattened 'at the earliest opportunity' but the Friends group said they will not go away.

Chairman Gordon Downing said the group needs to find a manager willing to provide business experience and financial backing. Councillors approved the plan last week but there will be a consultation period of around a month before anything happens to the Hippodrome.

He said: "There is always going to be a chance (of saving it). We have said over and again we are not going away regardless of what they want to do.

An artist's impression of the cleared Hippodrome site, looking towards the old Odeon cinema on Dudley's Castle Hill

"We felt they made up their minds five years ago but we can't understand why it's suddenly become so urgent. Perhaps they have done it to kick us up the backside."

Councillors backed the controversial demolition plans at a cabinet meeting last week.

They want the building removed 'at the earliest opportunity' despite pleas from campaigners and opposition councillors.

The controlling Labour group reiterated its stance when Dudley Council met but came under pressure from opposition councillors, who called on them to support the plan to restore the 1930s building, while the open space proposals were derided as 'glorified pavements'.

The Theatre Trust has also sent a letter to the council, pleading with bosses save the Hippodrome due to its cultural significance.

The Friends group has been involved in a protracted battle to save the Hippodrome and had been allowed inside to view the building as recently as the last few weeks. And the Theatre Trust sent the council a letter calling for members to consider using it as a theatre - but they insisted this is the best option for the site.

A bright, sweeping open public space is being planned in place of Dudley Hippodrome, which will open up views of the town's castle

Development boss Councillor Khurshid Ahmed said: "Despite what has been suggested to the contrary, there has been no agenda on the council's part to demolish this building come what may. Over the last three years the council has been true to its word in terms of inviting and assessing proposals to establish whether there was a viable future for this building.

"Without a revised proposal we think, in the current financial climate, it is no longer affordable to bear the cost of this building with no realistic chance of moving forward."

However, council leader Pete Lowe said groups would still be given the chance to save the building if they could put forward a realistic and deliverable plan.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.