Dudley Hippodrome appeal taking centre stage

The money is needed by The Black Country Hippodrome group – and until it is raised, nothing can be done in the building.

Campaigners leading the restoration want a solicitor to come in to help them put together a business plan, which they hope will strengthen their case for funding from the Black Country LEP .

At a public meeting involving The Black Country Hippodrome, campaigner Steve Daniels said; "We can't do anything until we have raised the £4,500 to pay for a solicitor to put the plan together. We all have lots of ideas about what the Hippodrome could become, but until we raise that money which will enable us to submit the plan to the Black Country LEP, we can't act."

The meeting heard how the campaigners were looking to raise the money so that the plan could be formally put together based on the ideas the group has for the Hippodrome.

Campaigner Larry Homer said: "At the moment, we are taking baby steps on this project because we are limited as to what we can do until we raise the money. The next stage is to legally put together the plan on how we can transform the building into a space that can be used all day, every day."

Now the group is looking to raise the profile of the campaign by holding a series of events in aid of raising funds for the solicitor. Events include a Hippodrome-themed quiz night on May 11 at The Laurels based on Windmill Hill. The quiz will have theatre and Hippodrome-themed questions and is open to all.

Steve said: "We need to get the ball rolling on this, so the more we can do to get the message out there the better."

The group also hopes more people will sign up to become members of the 'Friends of the Dudley Hippodrome' group and pay £10 to month into the kitty.

"That money will go towards making this next step possible and though we may not be able to offer members anything yet, when the Hippodrome is brought back to life, there will a whole host of things we will be able to do," he said.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the group should search Dudley Hippodrome on Facebook. To find out more about becoming a member of the group, email alex@thebch.co.uk or write to Sponsorship, The Black Country Hippodrome Ltd, Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, DY5 1LW.