The Restoration Project

Following listing an approach was made from Dudley MBC to the West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust to suggest that the building could benefit from the Trust's involvement. Contact was established between the Trust and Dysons in December 1996.

Dysons placed the property for sale on the open market in August 2000 but without success.

In July 2001, Dysons agreed in principle to transfer ownership of the building to the Trust, together with a small parcel of adjoining land that could become a car-park for the building.

The Trust began the process of restoration by commissioning Mr Robert Tolley of S.T.Walker & Duckham in Worcester (architect and subsequently lead consultant for the project) to propose a scheme that could be acceptable to all parties.

In January 2003 ownership of the property was transferred to the West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust and an application submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a Heritage Grant toward the costs of this restoration project. See the funding page for more details about costs and funding.

Resulting from a formal tendering process, Birmingham-based William Sapcote & Sons Ltd were appointed as contractors to carry out the restoration work.