Plans for 4,000-seater Dudley entertainment venue being stepped up

Council chiefs want to create a new venue to host shows, as well as conferences and exhibitions.

The project remains in the early stages but sites in the centre of Dudley and near the Merry Hill shopping centre are currently being explored.

The venue could feature up to 4,000 seats and could also be used by local sports groups.

An ice rink has also been suggested as a possible option for inclusion, according to a source close to the project.

The future of the project could depend on the outcome of May's local election in Dudley, where there is a fine balance of power. The Conservatives currently run the borough council but that could change.

The source said: "We are actively pursuing an art, entertainment and sporting venue for the Dudley borough and hopefully more will be announced in the coming months.

"We are hoping for a nice new arena. We are working to find ways to bring a much-needed new facility to the borough."

With improved transport links coming to Dudley town centre, bosses are exploring the possibility of building the venue there.

The West Midlands Metro connecting Wolverhampton and Birmingham is to be extended to Dudley by 2023.

The source added: "There are options near the Merry Hill centre and there are options in Dudley town centre. I would personally love to see it in Dudley."

Dudley Council has advertised for consultants to come in and gauge support for the development and draw up a plan for it. Most shows in the borough are held at Dudley Town Hall, Stourbridge Town Hall or Brierley Hill Civic Hall.