Meeting to discuss Darlaston Town Hall booster

The group has been formed in a bid to help promote the Victoria Road attraction and encourage more groups to use it for presentations, concerts and celebrations.

It comes amid concerns over the lack of bookings at the venue. Just 82 events were held there in the space of 12 months, figures have revealed, bringing in a total of £8,125.

Now, the Friends group has been formed in a bid to try and put the venue back on the map and turn it into a port of call for community groups, schools and social occasions.

Members were meeting council officers today at 3pm to see what they could do to help promote it.

Councillor Rose Burley, representative for Bentley and Darlaston North ward, said: "We want to discuss with them ways we can further promote Darlaston Town Hall.

"Part of the group's aims is to be there to support the maintenance of Darlaston Town Hall and making sure it remains open.

"At the same time, we want to promote it for use by the community and encourage other groups to try to use it, too.

"We want to see if we can work with them in the best interests of Darlaston Town Hall."

Last year, the marriage licence for Darlaston Town Hall was removed after no couples came forward to take up the chance to wed there.

It has also been revealed £500,000 is to be spent on giving the hall a facelift in a bid to attract more bookings.

A feasibility study is being carried out on to the improvements needed and these are likely to include a modernised kitchen, refurbished balcony and better office and meeting rooms.

The Victorian building reopened four years ago following an initial £325,000 revamp.