Fate of Dudley Hippodrome due to be decided at meeting

Campaigners are fighting to bring the historic landmark back to the life, after being the keys in December 2016 as part of a five year lease.

But Dudley Council will decide if the campaigners have met a set of aims laid out at the start of the project at a cabinet meeting next month.

Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley said: "A decision will be made at that meeting. The future of the hippodrome project will be decided there.

"We are still looking at all of the data.

"If they have satisfied the criteria then they can proceed with the project but if not then we will have to make decisions."

Black Country Hippodrome Limited have embarked on an ambition project to bring the landmark building, which once hosted big names in the entertainment industry including Laurel and Hardy, back to life.

Gordon Downing, who is one of the directors of the group, said they have met all but one of the aims set out after Dudley Council handed them the keys.

They have not been able to clear out the inside of the building, because the Health and Safety Executive ruled in February they could not enter the building without the correct protection over asbestos fears.

Mr Downing said: "We feel we have proved to Dudley Council that we have met the milestones set out.

"If they say we haven't, they would technically be able to take the building back again.

"We know we have reached the milestones. There is only one we haven't reach, which is clearing out the inside.

"We have been banned since February from going in because of the asbestos.

"We got a ridiculous situation, where the Health and Safety Executive came to inspect the asbestos but said it was too dangerous to go in.

"We have been working in there, wearing full white suits and masks."

The hippodrome has also been the target of vandals, who caused damage and left graffiti with messages including ‘RIP Laurel and Hardy’.

The hippodrome was built in 1938 on the site of Dudley Opera House, which was burned down by fire a year before.

It ran as theatre until 1964, operated as a cinema in the 80s and most recently as a Gala bingo, before closing in 2009.