Locksmith's house plan put on hold

Plans to build a replica of Willenhall's Locksmith's House at the Black Country Museum have been put on ice after doubt was cast over funding for the project.

Bosses at the Dudley attraction had won permission to build an exact copy of the grade II listed Lock Museum after it was forced into closure. But the plan is currently being reviewed by a board of directors after regional development agency Advantage West Midlands cancelled almost £2.4 million of funding.

The money, among millions clawed back by cash-strapped AWM from scores of projects around the region, would also have helped pay for the creation of a 1930s High Street at BCLM.

The Locksmith's House, in New Road, closed to the public for the final time last Friday leaving campaigners fearing its future could be left in limbo.

The Friends of Willenhall Lock Museum secretary Rupy Pandaal said: "We were told that building work would have probably started in October and it would have been around 15 to 18 months of work. That would be a long time without a lock making exhibition in place anyway, regardless of whether funding has been secured or not."

BCLM spokeswoman Emma Middleton confirmed the plan was among those on hold, saying: "It is currently under review by the board."

Mr Pandaal said the Friends would still be pursuing plans to create a heritage centre in Willenhall, with a lock making tribute as its showpiece.

The future of the Locksmith's House has been hanging in the balance since last year, when Walsall Council withdrew a £12,000 a year grant to fund it.

It was then bought by BCLM, whose bid to move it brick-by-brick to Dudley was blocked by English Heritage. They since decided to build a replica of the museum.