Last chance to save Dudley Hippodrome before the curtain comes down

Campaigners hoping to save Dudley Hippodrome have one last chance to submit a plan to save the landmark venue.

Proposals revealed by Dudley Council earlier this week threatened the end for the historic theatre – which would be bulldozed and replaced with an open public space.

The authority drafted the plans after deciding all other suggestions for a revamp of the venue fell short.

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However, after a meeting with the council on Friday, Friends of Dudley Hippodrome chairman Gordon Downing said the group had been given until the end of the year to form a 'viable business plan' to redevelop the hippodrome.

Mr Downing said: "In that time we've got to get together a professional looking plan in some form or other. I'd like to appeal to anybody out there if they can help us draw up that plan. We'll do our best." Councillors will be asked at a meeting next Thursday about whether to submit their planning application for the site.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed said members had considered a number of proposals for the building in the past five years, but all alternatives had failed.

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However, if someone comes to the authority with a firm, viable proposal to redevelop the theatre then the council will still consider this – even as their own proposal to knock down the historic building progresses.

Councillors will be asked at a meeting on Thursday about whether to submit a planning application. If the new vision gets the green light by the council cabinet, the scheme could be heard by a planning committee next year.

Councillor Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: "

We will continue taking these proposals to the cabinet on the basis there's no viable plan.

"If at any stage someone comes to us with a firm plan – with the money needed – then obviously we will look at it. What we won't do is prolong this any further than we need to.

"If the Friends group suddenly come to us with £10 million to redevelop the hippodrome why wouldn't we want to do that?

"But they've been working for three years on a plan and nothing has come forward."