Hundreds backing fight to save Dudley Hippodrome

Campaigners have refused to give up on their bid to re-open Dudley Hippodrome, despite council bosses in the town taking it back into their control.

The battle to revive the historic building on Castle Hill appears to have been lost after council leaders lost faith in the ability of a campaign group to fund its restoration.

But members have vowed to continue fighting, with a petition entitled 'Save Dudley Hippodrome' having gained 336 signatures.

The Black Country Hippodrome group had been working on a plan to re-open the old theatre for a year after being handed the keys by Dudley Council's former Labour administration.

However, the Conservative group now in charge at the council houses decided to scrap the agreement earlier this year, claiming the group had failed to prove the restoration bid was a viable.

The group, which had already begun minor works inside the venue, was handed a five-year lease and needed to raise around £5 million to realise their dream of re-opening it to the public.

It was the latest twist in a long and drawn out saga surrounding the derelict former theatre.

Dudley College is understood to be interested in taking over the Hippodrome site. College bosses have previously said they would be looking to demolish the venue if they were to acquire the site.

The Dudley Hippodrome Community Group said the aim of the petition was to prove to council there was a clear appetite for the building to be re-opened.

Under the plans that were eventually dashed, the Hippodrome, which was last used as a bingo hall, would have been re-opened as a theatre and community venue.

Steve Daniels, from the Black Country Hippodrome group, believes there remains clear support in Dudley for the building to be restored.

He said: "We always knew there was. We were fully aware of the massive support for it.

"Nobody could get their heads around why they wanted to bulldoze it. The group is still active and have got a stall in the market."

Campaigners believe a change in control at Dudley Council, where power is finely balanced, in the local elections could provide a lifeline.

Mr Daniels added: "If this council stays in power it is going to be an uphill struggle."

The Hippodrome was built in 1938 and continued as theatre until 1964. The likes of Ken Dodd, Sir Bruce Forsyth and Bob Monkhouse appeared on the stage there over the years.

It later operated as a cinema and finally as a bingo hall before closing in 2009