TIME is ticking to save Dudley Hippodrome from demolition but determined campaigners are not giving up without a fight.

With just over a week left to put forward a robust business proposal, the Friends of Dudley Hippodrome have upped their game and enlisted the help of experienced professionals to ensure their plan to create a thriving theatre and music venue ticks all the right boxes.

As it stands, unless the Friends group can prove they have a viable business plan by the December 31 deadline, the council will seek planning permission to demolish the building and replace it with public open space.

In addition to seeking advice from the Theatre Trust and a group attempting to revive Brighton Hippodrome, the Friends now have an accountant and an architect on board and have set up a steering group, chaired by Brierley Hill businessman Dave Mundon.

Mr Mundon, who runs the Cable Plaza Cafe at the Waterfront, said: "We've been making a lot of progress. We're trying to get firm figures and facts instead of plucking things out of the air and we are looking at ways to raise money.

"This business plan is going to be a lot more credible than those submitted previously as we have people backing us that are not short of business sense."

Mr Mundon said there would be a focus on ensuring the venue catered for disabled people and has been taking advice from Steve Daniels, trustee chairman of Dudley Disabled Learning Activities and Advice Centre.

Mr Daniels said: "At present our disabled people that go to theatres have to travel to either Wolverhampton or Birmingham, which can be quite a journey.

"Also there are many disabled people that would love to go and watch a show at a theatre but because of the distance they have to travel they find it impossible, so a venue like what is being proposed, which would be local for them would be great.

"In an age of equality and inclusion this would be ideal for our disabled people to attend and not have to travel too far."

Sedgley councillor and West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge has also pledged his support and hopes campaigners will be able to save the iconic building from being razed to the ground to make way for "an open space that nobody wants or sees a need for".

He said: "I back the new steering group and the Friends group to the hilt and I have hope that they will be successful.

"But I don't have faith in the people making the decisions within the council."

Cllr Etheridge has lambasted the local authority after a Freedom of Information request revealed the recently released artist’s impression for the open space to replace the threatened theatre was “an initial design and it has not been costed”.

An outraged Cllr Etheridge said: "To plough ahead with a decision to demolish the building when proper costings have not been done is, quite frankly, inept.

“Repeatedly the taxpayers of Dudley have been told there is no money to renovate the theatre and bring it back into use, yet here we are with a scheme, that given the cost of the recent upgrade to Coronation Gardens, could cost millions."

He added: "I really hope a Christmas miracle happens and the Hippodrome is preserved for the people of Dudley."