Post by Woody on Feb 14, 2008 20:34:41 GMT
Read this in tonights Express & Star.....
The futures of legendary music club JB’s and a bingo hall in Dudley have been thrown into doubt by multi-million plans to revamp the town.
Key figures behind the ambitious scheme say each site in Castle Hill is likely to form part of the long-term masterplan, but have dismissed rumours that owners would be forced to sell-up in the near future.
The owner of JB’s, Sam Jukes, today said he had been fielding concerned calls about the club’s future from as far afield as the United States.
Plans include ploughing £100 million into redeveloping Dudley Zoo and Castle, with to create a modern “gateway” to the town.
But although there are no immediate plans to issue compulsory purchase orders on JB’s or Gala, regeneration bosses believe neither of the buildings are in keeping with the new image.
Dudley Zoo chief executive Peter Suddock said JB’s and Gala bingo had been excluded from short term plans for the zoo’s redevelopment, but the long term picture was less clear.
“If you are going to have a modern image, then something will need to be done to these buildings because they are not part of the gateway,” he said.
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I really hope this isn't the end of JB's. I agree with all the regeneration that is happening in the area, but sacrificing JB's so the area looks better for outsiders visting is not on. To be quite honest i believe they'll knock JB's down and just turn it all in to car parking for the zoo. I think if the owners of JB's are forced to sell then they should be helped to move JB's or even better re-build a more aesthetically pleasing building right where it is now! JB's has been going for almost 40 years and I'll be gutted if its forced to close.
Woody
The futures of legendary music club JB’s and a bingo hall in Dudley have been thrown into doubt by multi-million plans to revamp the town.
Key figures behind the ambitious scheme say each site in Castle Hill is likely to form part of the long-term masterplan, but have dismissed rumours that owners would be forced to sell-up in the near future.
The owner of JB’s, Sam Jukes, today said he had been fielding concerned calls about the club’s future from as far afield as the United States.
Plans include ploughing £100 million into redeveloping Dudley Zoo and Castle, with to create a modern “gateway” to the town.
But although there are no immediate plans to issue compulsory purchase orders on JB’s or Gala, regeneration bosses believe neither of the buildings are in keeping with the new image.
Dudley Zoo chief executive Peter Suddock said JB’s and Gala bingo had been excluded from short term plans for the zoo’s redevelopment, but the long term picture was less clear.
“If you are going to have a modern image, then something will need to be done to these buildings because they are not part of the gateway,” he said.
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I really hope this isn't the end of JB's. I agree with all the regeneration that is happening in the area, but sacrificing JB's so the area looks better for outsiders visting is not on. To be quite honest i believe they'll knock JB's down and just turn it all in to car parking for the zoo. I think if the owners of JB's are forced to sell then they should be helped to move JB's or even better re-build a more aesthetically pleasing building right where it is now! JB's has been going for almost 40 years and I'll be gutted if its forced to close.
Woody
