WORK to revamp Dudley Town Hall and create a bar and bistro is expected to start next month.

A provisional start date for the work has been earmarked for October 11 as a contractor has been selected to carry out the work, Dudley Council’s ruling cabinet will be told at a meeting next week.

It is hoped the bar and bistro, which will be open everyday to the public, will be completed by Spring 2022.

Plans are also in the pipeline to create an 'al fresco' seating area to bring continental style dining to Dudley town centre.

It is hoped the new facility will bring in additional income for the council by selling drinks and refreshments for people attending shows at the St James’s Road venue.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member responsible for borough halls, said: "This is an exciting development for the town hall, and for Dudley town centre as a whole, so I’m delighted to hear that work is soon to start on making it a reality.

"The existing bar at the town hall is too small, so our plans will give patrons more options of drinking and dining within the town hall before, during and after our shows.

"We need to maximise the hall’s revenue opportunities to ensure it remains a viable venue in the future, and this will help us to do that."

The tender for the refurbishment was won by J R Slee, a Shrewsbury-based company which specialises in work on listed buildings.

The development will be discussed at the next meeting of Dudley Council cabinet meeting on Thursday September 23 from 6pm in Committee Room 2 at Dudley Council House.