Music scene to come alive with Dudley Rock Zombie launch

Landlords Kenny and Mandy Jinks are at the helm of the Rock Zombie bar opening tonight in King Street.

The couple previously ran the Ye Olde Foundry pub, also in King Street, but have decided to go it alone with their own bar.

They have led a team of workers and willing helpers including art students to get the new bar open on time.

Rock Zombie is based in the converted basement of the Plaza Malls building owned by entrepreneur Tony Swannie.

Finishing touches are being made to the bar which is themed with creative art work depicting some of rock music's legendary performers.

Zombies have also been painted on walls, and staff will also don new T-shirts to go with the theme for opening night.

Live music will be the main feature for the bar, with bands playing on Thursday and Sunday nights.

There will also be classic rock and metal nights on Fridays and Saturdays to help boost the town's alternative and rock music scene.

Mr Jinks, aged 47, said that he was really excited about the opening and that almost 2,000 have joined the bar's Facebook webpage.

He added: "Over the last few days, we have had so many people coming in to have a look around, and others have been looking at the Facebook page, and I just hope we can live up to the hype now."

Around 270 people are expected to arrive at the opening night from 8am – including Tipton soldier turned charity campaigner Karl Hinett.

The Plaza Mall replaced the town's former Woolworths store, which closed three years ago.

The basement was formerly used by a dance studio, which has moved to the building's first floor. Mr Swannie said: "When we took on the old Woolworths building, which is a huge building of 35,000 ft sq, we knew it was going to be a difficult job to fill it, but now we have filled every floor – which is fantastic.