Town hall's future to be decided
The future of plans to improve Stourbridge's historic town hall will be decided, just weeks after conservation bosses revealed they had been put on the backburner. The future of plans to improve Stourbridge's historic town hall will be decided, just weeks after conservation bosses revealed they had been put on the backburner. Delays have hit a number of schemes put forward for the Market Street building despite those behind the plans remaining dedicated to the project. Members of the town hall planning group are set to meet next month to discuss how plans can be progressed further. It includes representatives from Dudley Council and the West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust (WMHBT). Experts from the WMHBT revealed last month the plans would take longer than first thought due to a lack of resources at the present time. But they stressed all of the schemes were very much still in the pipeline – it was just a matter of when they would be taking place. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Delays have hit a number of schemes put forward for the Market Street building despite those behind the plans remaining dedicated to the project. Members of the town hall planning group are set to meet next month to discuss how plans can be progressed further.
It includes representatives from Dudley Council and the West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust (WMHBT).
Experts from the WMHBT revealed last month the plans would take longer than first thought due to a lack of resources at the present time.
But they stressed all of the schemes were very much still in the pipeline – it was just a matter of when they would be taking place.
Among the most ambitious of the plans is returning the Amblecote Room to its original appearance when it was the main Stourbridge Council chamber.
The room currently has a false ceiling, but beneath it is the more ornate original which bosses want to expose and restore.
Other plans include lighting up the town hall's tower during the evening creating a display which can be seen for miles around and marking the centre of the town.
Councillor Malcolm Knowles, head of regeneration for Dudley Council, said while no progress had been made on the plans, discussions would be taking place.
"The group will meet next in September to discuss all of the issues and see what can be done," he said. "The town hall is one of the most important buildings in Stourbridge and we are dedicated to preserving it for future generations to use." Residents and community groups in the town have long called for the Amblecote Room to be restored as a link to the town's heritage.
People would also like to see the room used to display the Stourbridge Charter and insignia, which are currently in storage and have not been seen in the town for many years.
The council chamber was converted into an ordinary function room after Stourbridge Council was disbanded when the town became part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in 1974.
