Sports plan for foundry
Smethwick's historic Soho Foundry site will be transformed into a premier sports and leisure complex, as part of a multi-million pound masterplan.
Plans include building first-class indoor sports facilities inside the building, which was one of the earliest foundries in the world, and used by Matthew Boulton and James Watts.
There are also plans for cafes, bars and restaurants inside the walls of the Grade II listed complex which was used by Matthew Boulton and James Watt to build their famous steam engines.
Details of the proposals were announced for the first time today, and a bid is being drawn up to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Councillor Bob Badham, the council's cabinet member for regeneration & transport, said: "Subject to securing the appropriate funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, this promises to give a massive regeneration boost to the Soho Foundry area."
The plan for the foundry site involves bringing major investment into the town and linking in with a borough-wide improvement plan.
A partnership board has been set up to organise the business plan, made up of Councillor Badham as chairman, finance boss and deputy council leader Councillor Steve Eling, along with leisure and culture chief Councillor Linda Horton.
It also includes representatives from the council, the Prince's Regeneration Trust, English Heritage, RegenCo, Advantage West Midlands and British Waterways. The partnership has secured listed building consent for the work.
The outcome of the lottery bid is expected later this year. The Express & Star revealed earlier this month that a major funding bid was being drawn up to finance an £8 million transformation of the foundry site, but the details were being kept under wraps.
The plans for the site are expected to link in with proposals to regenerate the nearby canal network. Engineers have been weatherproofing the building.
