Celebrations to take place at The Public

With the West Bromwich venue destined to close later this year, the building's trust has decided to host the event.

Sandwell Arts Trust are calling for acts and artists who have performed or shown their work there in the past four years to get in touch so they can be a part of Celebrations Week which will reflect on the buildings past achievements.

Live music, song and dance will be taking place during the week-long event which runs from November 11 until November 16 and will culminate in a performance from local cover group Busby Babes to celebrate the last four years of popular art activities at the £72 million pound centre. There will also be spoken word performances and a variety of workshops for children to get involved with during the week of fun.

Linda Saunders, chairman of Sandwell Arts Trust said: "Celebration Week will provide a fantastic opportunity for the whole community to come along, share their memories of The Public, and celebrate the fantastic events and activities which have taken place here over the last four years.

"It's our way of saying thank you to the thousands of visitors who have enjoyed being part of all that those goes on within the building, and to all those who have worked with us along the journey."

Sandwell Council recently took the controversial decision to cut funding to the project after it was discovered that it was costing the council more than £1.6 million a year. In order to protect frontline services the council has taken action to withdraw public funding from Sandwell Arts Trust, effectively forcing the closure of the landmark building in its current form, which is due to take place on November 30.

Council Leader Darren Cooper has pledged to keep the closure as short as possible and is now in talks with interested parties, including Sandwell College, to secure the buildings future.

An announcement on who will be taking over the running of the building, and what form it could take in the future, is expected to be made before the end of September.

A petition of more than 5,000 names was handed in to Sandwell Council following rumours that the venue could be changing hands, which was organised by apprentices working with the LearnPlay Foundation, based at the building.

If you have played or been involved with the building during its past The Public would like to hear from you by contacting 0121 533 7161 or emailing info_public@sandwell.gov.uk.

Sandwell Council bosses made the final decision about the centre's immediate future at a cabinet meeting on August 14.

The council has been in talks with Sandwell College over the building, but there are also other interested parties, including other further education establishments.