ALL things Black Country will be celebrated in Merry Hill this month after a new centre is opened on Friday (July 7).

The Black Country Hub is being run by the Black Country Arts Council and will open as part of a seven-day countdown to the fifth official Black Country Day celebrations on Friday, July 14.

The unit, located near the bus station entrance to the Brierley Hill shopping centre, will be officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Alan Taylor, at a launch event at 11am.

Cllr Taylor said: “The hub looks fantastic and is a real celebration of all things Black Country. I would urge people to pop in for themselves and have a look, as well as learning about all the great events that are on during the festival.”

Inside, people will be able to find information on events going on in the community to celebrate the month-long Black Country Festival running throughout July.

They include a big comedy night on Black Country Day itself, on Friday, July 14, when TV’s Ross Noble will headline at Brierley Hill Civic Hall supported by hotly-tipped Black Country acts.

For more information about this year’s Black Country Festival, including all the events taking place, visit www.black-country-festival.co.uk/whats-on.

The hub will also act as a tourist information point for general happenings in the Black Country, with people invited to pop in for help and advice on promoting their own events.

Ian Marrey, chairman of Black Country Arts Council, said: “The location of the Black Country Hub is fantastic and over the next few months we will see the Black Country flag flying in our store as we set about promoting everything that is great about the Black Country.

“The hub will also act as a tourist information point for the Black Country, with people invited to pop in for help and advice on promoting their own events.”

A range of Black Country merchandise will be on sale in the hub with the proceeds used to advance the arts in the Black Country and also help raise funds to support community events organised as part of the Black Country Festival.

Steve Edwards, chairman of the Black Country Festival and manager of the hub, said: “We are very excited to get the hub open and it will be great to have a headquarters and focal point in the week leading up to the big day on July 14.”

The hub will also have gallery space to regularly display work by local artists, opening with a showcase of oil paintings by Ken Wood depicting famous Black Country scenes. The space will also be available for use as a performance area by local groups.