Experts look at possible uses for The Public in West Bromwich

Property consultants have been commissioned to look into alternative uses for The Public. The company Jones Lang LaSalle has been asked by Sandwell Council to review the potential uses for the £72million West Bromwich arts centre.

As part of the review the firm will look at potential uses for the New Street building and its capacity, as well as undertake a structural assessment and how the building could be disposed of. The review, part of the council's Independent Challenge scheme, is set to take three months.

The council's improvement chief Councillor Mahboob Hussain said the consultants would be looking at options for the building for when Arts Council funding ends in 2015.

The Independent Challenge scheme sees the council recruit consultants to review and test service areas to insure they are value for money and deliver the best possible service to the community.

Sandwell is thought to be the only local authority in the West Midlands that undertakes the independent testing process.

Councillor Hussain said: "It could be that they will recommend it stays as an arts centre, or that it be used as offices, or anything really.

"It is completely open, and the council has nothing to do with what they say, it is independent of us.

"This building is not funded by the council, but it is by the taxpayer, so we are looking for the consultants to come up with the best option for the people of Sandwell."

Jones Lang LaSalle will put together a review which includes four stages – a study of the building and its uses, a structural assessment, options for disposal of the building and how these options could be implemented.

The review was started last month, and a concluding report is set to be presented to the council's service improvement cabinet advisory team at the end of May.

By Naomi Dunning