Plans for new bar and bistro at Dudley Town Hall

It will be accessed off Priory Street using the Memorial Tower entrance, with plans to also create an outside seating area for continental style drinking and dining during the warmer months.

The council said cash made by selling refreshments to people attending shows at the St James’s Road venue would help boost the authority's finances.

It is hoped it will stop gig-goers will stay at the venue during intervals instead of leaving to get drinks at nearby pubs.

Under the plans the bar and bistro will be open every day to the public and not just when shows are on at the venue.

Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: "This is an exciting development for the town hall, and for Dudley town centre.

"The existing bar at the town hall is too small, and as a result for many years people have chosen to buy pre-show or interval drinks at nearby pubs rather than at the venue.

"We need to maximise the hall’s revenue opportunities to ensure it remains a viable venue in the future, and this will help us to do that."

The planning application has been submitted by Dudley Council this week and will be determined in due course.