Parties interested in Dudley Hippodrome

Dudley Council has confirmed that they have received a number of expressions of interest in the Hippodrome site, on Castle Hill.

It comes as council bosses have called for businesses and parties to come forward with offers ahead of a deadline of August 31.

A Dudley Council spokesperson confirmed: "We are in discussions with a number of parties interested in the former Hippodrome.

"We will assess all expressions received following the deadline of August 31."

One of the parties interested, the Dudley Hippodrome Community Group, said they have brought on a team of professionals in efforts to fight its case – including architects and solicitors.

Paul Winchurch, group spokesperson, said: "We realise that we can't do it on our own.

"All we are trying to do is put something back into the town. It has been abandoned since the council took it over years ago.

"Kids are getting on the roof and they are getting inside the building and smashing it to pieces. I'm very disappointed.

"We know it is going to take at least two years to get it up and running. We would rather work with the council."

It comes as in July the leader of Dudley Council Patrick Harley said the council had 'bent over backwards' to consider every option for the building.

He said: "We have bent over backwards to make sure that we consider every option for this building, but we cannot allow this to become another town eyesore.

“We are looking for expressions of interest in the site, which must then be backed by a robust business case and financial proposition, in order to make sure we have left no stone unturned in determining the future of this site.”