Lock museum replica plan

Willenhall's historic Locksmith's House will be re-created at the Black Country Living Museum after plans to build a replica of the flagging attraction were approved.

The Grade II-listed Locksmith's House, also known as The Lock Museum, shut its doors in December last year because of dwindling visitor numbers.

It now only opens occasionally for group bookings.

The Black Country Living Museum originally aimed to dismantle the Locksmith's House brick by brick and rebuild it in Dudley.

But that plan was blocked by English Heritage who demanded the building remain in Willenhall.

Now the museum has instead gained permission to construct a replica of the New Road building, taking all of the artefacts with it. But Black Country Living Museum director Ian Waldron today vowed the listed building would not be left to rot.

He said talks are under way which could involve converting the Locksmith's House for residential use.

Museum bosses are awaiting the outcome of a grant application to fund the new attraction in Dudley but provided the funding bid is successful, building work could start as early as September.

Mr Waldron said: "It now means we have the okay to go ahead with the development but the outstanding part now is the money."

Carl Creaney, councillor for Willenhall South and a member of The Friends of Willenhall Lock Museum, said: "It's a very sad day for Willenhall town, seeing as we have been at the centre of the world lockmaking industry for years."