COUNCIL bosses are prepared to give Dudley Hippodrome supporters more time to try and prepare a rescue package for the threatened site.

They have allowed interested party the ROK Group an extra two months to try and work on a business plan which would help save the iconic building.

The council insists it is prepared to consider all options for the former cinema and bingo hall if a viable business case is put before them.

However bosses stress the commercial factor must add up and offer a long term viability scheme, which would not create a financial risk to council tax players.

The decision to delay matters has been welcomed by Friends of the Hippodrome and borough personality Garry Sawyers, also known as Black Country Gaz.

He said: "It's looking very positive. Creating a business plan can take quite a while and it's only right the ROK Group are given every opportunity to put one in place.

"The last thing we want is to lose the Hippodrome."

But leader of the council, Councillor Pete Lowe warned: "I don't think anyone would disagree that there is potential here for a major and very exciting landmark project for the borough.

"However, I think it's important that everybody recognises that with the negotiation on schemes of this scale and complexity, there are commercial factors which ROK must ensure stack up from their side.

"Dudley Council must also be certain that there is a long term project here that adds value to our regeneration agenda whilst being able to mitigate ongoing risk to the council and tax players.

"It's only when we are sure that all of these issues can be dealt with, that either party can commit to pursuing the project any further."