Venue opens as day centre

A popular Black Country music venue is once again welcoming customers through its doors.

Since being handed a reprieve in March, the landmark Regis Banqueting Suite in Old Hill has undergone a refit costing more than £250,000.

The unique centre will combine social care, music and local community events. Bosses Tony Billingham and Carole Jenkins started hosting a day care operation at the site yesterday in partnership with Sandwell Social Services.

The business partners, who run the Halesowen-based Carlton Care Group, have signed a 12-month deal with social services and have already welcomed 12 people and their carers to show off the building's new look.

And at the end of this week a recruitment search will be launched to find people to fill roles including kitchen, domestic and bar staff.

Mr Billingham said: "Regis Hall has been relaunched under a new name - the Regis Suite - which reflects the quality of workmanship which has been ploughed into the place since we bought it earlier in the year. Our first day offering day care went exceptionally well and social services expect to expand the numbers using the facility."