'At risk' Dudley theatre is given Grade II listed status

The terracotta-fronted Netherton Arts Centre - originally Netherton Institute - has been given Grade II listed status following a campaign by residents concerned about its future. 

The building in Northfield Road, Netherton, is owned by Dudley Council, but has been mothballed since it closed due to the coronavirus.

It had been the home of Dudley Little Theatre group, but was placed on the market last month with an asking price of £500,000 after being declared surplus to requirements by the council.

Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles had been in talks with both Historic England and the Theatres at Risk Register to ensure the building's historical and cultural importance was recognised and protected.

Miss Eccles spoke of her delight at the news, but warned that the battle was far from over.

"I am absolutely delighted that our efforts have led to this fantastic result," she said.

"But this is not the end of the story. A listing is just the first step, now the real work begins."

She said the next stage would be to decide how best to bring the building back to life, so it could once more be a thriving centre of creativity, culture and community in the area.

The foundation stone was laid by the Countess of Dudley on July 5, 1883, and the building originally as a public hall and library. From 1910 to 1939 Howard Bishop leased it for use as a cinema, but after the war it reverted to theatrical use following the opening of the Savoy cinema up the road. It reopened in 1947 as Netherton Arts Centre.

The venue was operated by the council and hosted a range of professional and amateur performances, the mainstay of which was a popular repertory company, the Midland Theatre Company.

When the Midland Theatre Company disbanded in 1955, Netherton Arts Centre became home to amateur groups, including Dudley Little Theatre which had also performed at its civic reopening on October 20, 1947.

The Theatres Trust placed it on its 'at risk' register in 

More than 2,600 people have signed a petition organised by Councillor Elaine Taylor calling for the centre to be saved.

She said it was the only purpose-built theatre in Dudley following the demolition of the Hippodrome two years ago.

The building has been on the Theatres Trust 'at risk' register since 2022.

The trust said: "The council has no capacity to continue to operate the venue and will not subsidise any future operation.

"While there could be an opportunity for amateur groups to operate the venue, it is unlikely that they would be able to generate a commercial return on the scale required by the council.

"The building also requires improvement and maintenance work and there appears to be little appetite within the council to carry out this work. There is an added danger that the extent of these necessary works increases as the building lies vacant and vulnerable."