Outdoor theatre for open air shows in £1m revamp of Dudley's Coronation Gardens

Dudley Council today announced it will begin work on the project hailed as the next stage of the town centre's multi-million pound regeneration this week.

Restoration work will also see water in the historic Apollo Fountain for the first time in decades as well as new lighting, paths, trees and seating installed to breathe new life into the landmark.`

The work is being carried out with cash from the European Regional Development Fund.

The amphitheatre will be available to hire for community groups and the college for open air shows.

The gardens, which the council says are a special feature in Dudley, sit opposite the Council House in Priory Road and form part of the civic quarter.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "Coronation Gardens is already popular with students, office workers and passers-by, but this project is about enhancing what we have there and improving it for everyone.

"I'm very excited about some of the things we are looking to do there including the amphitheatre and the fountain which will make it a great place to relax or for entertainment.

"By creating something like this we can also give tourism a huge boost by making facilities people want to visit and make use of.

"As a community council we are committed to providing community facilities wherever we can and looking for external funding to finance them wherever possible."

The work on the gardens, which are also home to the Bert Bissell memorial, will include additional seating, lighting in the trees throughout the site as well as new handrails and improvements to the steps.

It is part of the ongoing regeneration work in the town centre including the new £6m market place which is due to be completed later this year.

Meanwhile plans for the ambitious £50m Porters Field project, which will see a new supermarket, shops and cafe built are also being drawn up.

Eyesore office block Cavendish House will be demolished to make way for a modern store and a stylish public piazza.

Bosses say the project will take shape at the Birmingham Street entrance to Churchill Precinct.

The work at Coronation Gardens is expected to be completed by late Autumn.