Fencing goes up around Dudley Hippodrome as demolition work begins

It was the latest step in the long running saga of the Dudley Hippodrome, which Dudley Council confirmed last week would be demolished as part of plans to create a brand new £25 million higher education facility.

The secure fencing will be in place around the site and when the façade of the Hippodrome is removed, large scale protective shields the height of the building will prevent any fall-out onto the front of the site.

Demolition is expected to take around four months and once work is complete then the building of a new £25 million university campus will begin in early 2024.

Worcester University will run a nursing college from the site and will provide university-level courses for the health sector, with a view to opening in September 2025.

The disused Castle Hill theatre has not hosted live entertainment since 1974 but had remained as a bingo hall until 2009.

Dudley Council's cabinet approved the move to knock down the Hippodrome in 2021 and several attempts to save the building have failed, despite the best efforts of campaigners.

The Dudley Hippodrome Friends and Community Group had wanted the building to be kept as an entertainment centre with bars and restaurants.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said it was an exciting day for the borough.

He said: "It's taken a lot of work behind the scenes over many years to bring this project to fruition.

"I'm so glad to see the major work finally beginning."

The project is being spearheaded by Dudley Council, one of the members of the Dudley Towns Fund Board which was successful in bidding for £25m from the government’s £178.7 million Towns Fund.