Large hole exposed in side wall of Dudley Hippodrome as demolition work gathers pace
More of the roof has been removed along with part of the side wall at the Dudley Hippodrome where demolition work is continuing.
The former theatre in Castle Hill is being pulled down piece by piece with the work, which started last month, set to take around four months to complete.
Some of the brickwork has also been dismantled at the very top front of the building, while the hole in its roof is growing wider.
The building is being demolished from the centre outwards, using pickers and cranes.
Once that has taken place then the rear of the building and finally the façade will be removed.
Secure fencing will be in place around the site and when the façade is removed, large scale protective shields, the height of the building will prevent any fall-out onto the front of the site.
The work is making way for a new £25 million university campus which is expected to 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 project is being spearheaded by Dudley Council, one of the members of the Dudley Towns Fund Board which was successful in bidding for £25 million from the government’s £178.7m Towns Fund.
The disused theatre has not hosted live entertainment since 1974 but remained as a bingo hall until 2009.
Dudley Council leader, Councillor Patrick Harley, said the new university facility would benefit people in the borough and beyond for years to come.
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