Two floors are still empty at The Public

Two floors at Black Country arts centre The Public are still empty almost two years after the venue opened its doors.

Business space on the second and fourth floors was being marketed when the building opened in June 2008.

Sandwell Council had planned for the centre to become a hub for creative businesses. However, just one firm has moved in since the opening date. The council has paid £1.4 million to have the 15,000 sq ft second floor converted into an area for arts workshops and the fourth floor fitted out.

The aim is to make the £72m centre in West Bromwich more attractive to potential tenants.

Work is due to be completed next month.

Fifteen 'lily pad' office spaces – pods measuring a total of 3,000 sq ft – are still empty and causing the council a major headache.

Sandwell Council has refused to say how much money it has spent on marketing the building to businesses.

It has also refused to comment on whether the management will be offering incentives to persuade companies to move in.

Councillor Bob Badham, Sandwell Council's regeneration boss said: "The refit is progressing well and is expected to be completed by the end of March.

"We are in negotiation with various organisations about taking space at The Public.

"Obviously we have to take into account the economic climate and negotiations with individual potential tenants remain confidential at this stage," he added.

"However, our aim remains to secure the best possible market value for the space."

Major Key Studios, which operates music courses at the site, is currently the only company to move into the building in New Street, which is now being rented out for club nights.