Tories Hippodrome U-Turn is a disgrace to the Black Country

Dudley Liberal Democrats have launched a blistering attack on the ruling Conservative party for their "absolute failure of leadership" following the announcement that they plan to press ahead with the demolition of the Dudley Hippodrome.

Campaigners have been left devastated by the Conservative-run council's decision that they will demolish the theatre, which has lay abandoned since 2009.

Community Groups and charities have previously urged the council not to press ahead with their plans, as demolition would mean the loss of a "cultural venue with national importance" as well as have a significant impact on the environment.

Over the last few years, the Dudley Hippodrome Development Trust has grown to a group of thousands of supporters and raised thousands of pounds, but despite this, the leader of the council has largely ignored their pleas.

The recent announcement comes just weeks after the leader of the council Patrick Harley agreed with the group that the council would work with the campaign group and the Theatre's Trust to commission a viability study, to assess whether a refurbished theatre could successfully reopen.

Local Liberal Democrat Spokesperson Ryan Priest said:

"To tear down such a significant icon of our history, and to ignore the calls for its restoration is an absolute failure of leadership. Dudley Hippodrome is a local landmark, an important part of Black Country history, and if reopened and restored to its former glory could have a huge impact on the local area.

"Cllr Harleys u-turn on the viability study is a two-faced betrayal. I'm sure the leader's city-bid and redevelopment plans may shaw up his chance of an honours nomination, but they do nothing for the people he is elected to serve. Maybe it's time the Tories put local communities first for once.

"The Tories want to make a bid for city status, but what kind of a city doesn't have a theatre?"