‘Game-playing’ fear over Dudley Hippodrome dream
Campaigners trying to revitalise Dudley Hippodrome fear the council is ‘playing a game’ in talks over the lease.
Steve Daniels, from Black Country Hippodrome group, which is attempting to revive the landmark venue, said he was ‘disappointed’ with Dudley Council.
The group claims they were rushed into submitting a report on funding opportunities after they requested the five-year lease be extended.
Members have been in discussions with council officials about the future of the Hippodrome.
Black Country Hippodrome was handed the keys to the building along with a five-year lease and with it time to show they could prove their bid to salvage building was realistic.
Dudley Council has said it will consider a request to extend the lease by 20 years but has asked for a report on the first year progress.
But Mr Daniels believed they should have been given longer as they were handed the keys last December.
Threat
The disagreement threatens to create fresh tension over the building, which the council had wanted to knock down prior to the rescue bid.
Bosses have always maintained plans to demolish it and create an open public area remain in the background in the event of the revamp falling through.
Mr Daniels said: “I am worried about what their motives are. Are they playing a game by which they say they are giving us a chance but really they are not?
“We are working hard to make it happen but obstacles come up daily.
“If we have our way it will happen but if people have got ulterior motives it won’t happen.”
Minor works have been carried out on the Castle Hill venue since campaigners were handed the keys last year.
It is hoped theatre productions could once again run at the Hippodrome which has been shut since 2009 and was last used as a theatre in the 1960s.
Black Country Hippodrome needs around to raise £5 million in order to make the dream a reality.
Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration at Dudley Council, said: “The terms of the lease, which included an August review date were agreed by members of Black Country Hippodrome Ltd and Dudley Council back in December 2016.
“It’s important that we stick to these agreed terms in order to objectively assess whether those milestones have been achieved.”
