THE future of Brierley Hill Civic Hall has been secured as volunteers prepare to sign a deal to take over the running of the venue from Dudley Council.

Dudley Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) will have the keys permanently handed over to them after showing their success at running the hall on a trial basis during the last two years.

The community asset transfer deal, which is set to save the council about £100,000 a year, will see the charity take on the day-to-day running of the 695-seat venue once it is signed today (Tuesday, November 7).

Cllr Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We’ve been working in partnership with Dudley CVS who have been running Brierley Hill Civic Hall on a trial period for the last two years.

“They’ve shown that they’re able to manage the venue in an innovative way which has included hosting a number of entertainment, community and hospitality events.

“Dudley CVS has produced a business plan which states how they intend to manage the hall in the future and the council is now hoping to transfer the future management of the hall, on a long-term lease, to DCVS in the new year.

“The transfer will ensure that this valued community asset remains an important venue used by the Brierley Hill and wider community.”

Dudley CVS, which supports, promotes and develops voluntary groups, has turned the civic hall around, with sold out events including the ‘Live At The Civic’ comedy nights and the popular Ultimate evenings breathing life back into the building.

James Challis, civic hall general manager, said the charity is “super excited” to be able to take on the venue full-time.

“This is something that we have been hoping to so for such a long time now,” James said. “The 18-month trial gave us a great opportunity to prove to the council that we can run the civic hall as a successful venue.

“We wanted to provide a plethora of different events for people of all ages and it has taken a lot of hard work and effort to get us to this stage.

“But we are still a long way from fulfilling the potential of the hall, so we need to continue to work hard to kick on further and get people through the doors to all of our events and shows.”