Historic buildings set to become new town at Black Country Living Museum

Landmark community buildings, much-loved pubs and industrial sites are among those which have been targeted by bosses at the popular tourist attraction.

While some would be taken down brick-by-brick and then rebuilt at the museum in Dudley, others which no longer exist would be recreated using archive images and information.

The proposed attraction is reliant upon £10 million of Heritage Lottery funding for which a bid has been made.

If successful work could begin in 2018 and 93 jobs would be created – with hundreds more while work is carried out.

Among the buildings identified for the 1940-60s town is Woodside Library in Stourbridge Road, Dudley, which has lain empty and boarded up since it was closed in 2008 under council cost-cutting measures.

Also being lined-up for 'translocation' is the West Bromwich Gas Showroom in the town's High Street, and the neighbouring Parish's Restaurant – both of which have been scheduled for demolition. The showroom was badly damaged by a Blitz raid in 1940.

The Elephant and Castle pub in Wolverhampton was controversially demolished in 2001 but could be revived as a 1950s watering hole to inform visitors about changes in social attitudes towards drinking and social life.

A bowling green could also form part of the attraction, as could a brickworks modelled on the former Harris & Pearson site in Quarry Bank.

Chief executive of the museum Andrew Lovett said he was excited about the proposed town, plans for which are the culmination of a major research project.

Speaking to the Express & Star, he said: "This would be a historic development centred on the 1940s through to the 1960 and which would include a town and also great industrial representation.

"The buildings we have identified would be clustered and we have had great fun designing the streetscape. When was the last time someone got to design a town in the Black Country?

"We think we have got a very compelling bid for the funding but you have to recognise it is a very competitive environment in which we are seeking the money.

"The message I want to get across which has come about from consultations is about the amount of support we have had for the development from the people of the Black Country.

"It is hugely heartening for us. It is easy to forget and take that sort of thing for granted but it is a real boost to think we are doing the right thing."

Another building which has been identified for the town is William Griffin & Sons, a chain-making firm in Woods Lane, Cradley, which has also been earmarked for demolition by Sandwell Council.

It would be used to demonstrate the industry's move to merchandised production and the globalisation of trade during the post-war period.

But Mr Lovett said he was most excited by the prospect of relocating Woodside Library with action having being sought by campaigners for several years. He added: "The library is significant because it is down on its luck at the moment.

"Having had discussion with the local authority we are aware there is a covenant on that building from the Earl of Dudley who wanted it to be maintained for public use.

"So if that can be brought here it would be great and it would satisfy that covenant.

"It is a large and very striking building and is very much of the style we are after for what we want to create."

If successful in their bid for funding, the £10m would be used to create the town, a new visitor centre and car park, as well as the extension of the museum's tram line.

There are also plans to turn the current Rolfe Street Entrance Building into a new learning centre to enable the development of a new learning programme.

The museum will find out if it has been successful in the spring and, if so, will then work towards a second funding bid in October 2018 when discussions about planning permission will be held.

Mr Lovett said the scheme could create 93 jobs at the museum, 58 at other Black Country firms and around 450 while construction takes place.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development at Dudley Council,

said: "It is very exciting to hear about the buildings which could be used at the museum.

"In terms of Woodside Library, that is something which has just been sitting there for a number of years now and this is an opportunity to bring it back to life so people can enjoy it the way it should be."