As it comes down, Dudley Hippodrome campaigners release images of what could have been
As work gets started this week on the demolition of Dudley Hippodrome, exclusive artist's impressions of what might have been can be revealed.
Campaigners from the Dudley Hippodrome Development Trust, who were fighting to save it recently said the demolition of the famous old building, which once housed music hall stars, was a 'sad day' for the town.
Members of the group had artist's impressions professionally produced by David Crump, of Lichfield based Greenwood Projects. They were also approached by Master Degree students at Birmingham City University who produced three audio visual presentations of the work, which they say could have been presented to the council.
Dave Homer from the group said: "The students came to site, visited the Dudley Archives to research every detail and produced the presentations which would have blown the council away in the details produced.
"The then Cabinet Member for Regeneration despite showing an interest, then refused to meet or even continue to talk to us. No reasons were ever given for this."
Mr Homer added: "As a trust we appointed an independent professional market research company to undertake a survey into the future of the building. The results show that 94 per cent thought retaining the heritage of Dudley and its historic building was important to them and 900 people when directly asked if they wanted the current Hippodrome building to stay said yes.
"Again the council totally ignored the findings of this and now have gone ahead with the demolition of the building, which we feel could have been retained as a valuable asset for the people of the borough."
He also questioned why officials at the Black Country Museum backed plans to demolish the Hippodrome when, he said, it would have fitted together with Dudley Zoo and Castle to form three attractions in close proximity.
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