Dudley wants to become Britain's first 'town of culture' - Here are five reasons why it might stand a chance

The winner of the competition, will be awarded £3.5 million to deliver a major cultural programme in summer 2028.

Judging will  based on  three criteria:  The unique story of the town; how culture will be made accessible to everyone; and how the programme will be delivered successfully, 

Here are five major areas and attractions we have identified that Dudley has to offer.

1) Regeneration and innovation

As part of the Dudley Borough Vision 2030, major work is taking place in Dudley town centre itself, including the re-development of the bus station to form a transport interchange which will also see an expanded Midland Metro running to Brierley Hill.

 Work on the first phase of the project is due to finish early next year and is part of the overall vision for the town which will bring in more visitors as a 'go to' destination.

 2) Dudley Zoo and Castle

This is seen as a 'jewel in the crown' of Dudley, and situated just yards from the town centre.

Opened to the public in 1937, it features a 200-acre densely wooded site located within the grounds of Dudley Castle. 

Now operated by the Dudley and West Midlands Zoological Society, the Midlands Metro expansion will see it serve the site, on Castle Hill.

3) The Black Country Living Museum

 Just a short walk from Dudley Zoo and Castle, the museum  explores over 250 years of history, from the Industrial Revolution onwards on a 26-acre-site of former industrial land partly reclaimed from a former railway goods yard, disused lime kiln, canal arm and former coal pits.

The museum opened to the public in 1978, and has since added over 50 shops, houses and other industrial buildings from around the metropolitan boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

It has seen an ever increasing number of visitors, with an aim when the Metro extension opens to attract 500, 000 a year. 

The site hosts a number of events every year, welcomes many school groups and has been used as a filming location for a number of period dramas,

4) Dudley Canal and Caverns

Run by Dudley Canal Trust, a registered charity, it features an underground experience through tunnels running through the Dudley number two canal which is dotted with reminders of its industrial history including black-and-white footbridges and a derelict brick engine house.

 Visitors can have a go at 'legging' in which they push the narrowboat through the tunnels using only leg power.

Many notable people have visited, including Michael Portillo, who featured the canal and caverns on his Great British Railway Journeys programme.

 5) Dudley Entertainment Quarter

Far from looking into the past, a new £4m 'Fun City' entertainment centre opened recently which sits in the the Grade II listed former museum and art gallery in St James Road close to the town centre.

Spread over three floors, the new venue includes plenty of games to get involved with, including laser tag, pool tables, darts, karaoke and  virtual reality games studios.

It forms part of a vision for a new entertainment quarter which, with the Metro extension, is designed to attract thousands of new people to Dudley town centre,

Ms Kumar said:   “Winning, or even bidding for, Town of Culture status could bring real benefits to Dudley: investment, jobs, tourism and a renewed sense of local pride. 

"I want to see Dudley putting itself forward with ambition and confidence, working with local artists, community groups, schools and cultural organisations to show what makes our town special.” 

Council leader Patrick Harley said he would be looking at the detail before a bid would be lodged.