Dudley Hippodrome campaigners tell councillors 'don't destroy our heritage'

A long-fought campaign to restore and reopen the landmark Castle Hill theatre appeared to be dashed after a vote on Thursday night.

Members of Dudley Council's cabinet backed recommendations from officers to takeover the lease awarded to campaigners.

Black Country Hippodrome Ltd had been behind the bid to secure vital funding needed to return the venue to its former glory.

But cabinet members said enough is enough and claimed the group had failed to provide the assurances needed.

They instructed the authority's legal team to start procedures 'leading to forfeiture of the lease'.

Campaigners had protested outside Dudley Council House ahead of the meeting with placards asking councillors not to 'destroy our heritage'.

Paul Collins, from Black Country Hippodrome Limited, told the cabinet that the group had been good custodians of the building.

Speaking after the meeting, he said: "I am very disappointed at the decision but not at all surprised. Why did they subject us to so much scrutiny in one year?"

He said the group would be looking at whether the decision-making process would be considered by a council scrutiny committee.