Black Country Living Museum work on hold

All building projects at the Black Country Living Museum have been put on hold "for the next couple of years" due to a lack of cash, bosses revealed today.

The attraction has put a freeze on all development when the £10million Streets Ahead scheme, creating 1930s high street Old Birmingham Road, is complete.

It brings to an end a rapid expansion which has taken visitor numbers soaring to more than 300,000 a year.

A plan to build a replica of Willenhall's historic Locksmith's House at the site in Tipton Road is among the projects shelved.

Director and chief executive Andrew Lovett drew a line in the sand today, saying the museum must "consolidate the strong position" it is in after outside funding dried up amid the recession.

Speaking exclusively to the Express & Star, Mr Lovett said: "Over the last few years the museum has concentrated its efforts, with the support of many generous funders, on further developing the historic features and buildings of the site.

"After this intensive period of important development, it now makes sense to focus on making the most of these developments to consolidate the very strong position the museum is in.

"It is about fulfilling the museum's potential given the massive investment that has taken place."

He added: "This does not mean we will no longer develop the features and buildings on site over time, it is simply that this won't be our priority for the next couple of years."

Old Birmingham Road is due to be unveiled in July. Museum spokeswoman Fiona Carding confirmed at the weekend the Locksmith's House was "no longer a priority".