Dudley rock venue Dirty Rockers renovated by fans to ensure lockdown survival

Dirty Rockers, based on Dock Lane, opened last September and built up a cult following in Dudley before it was abruptly closed when lockdown hit in March.

Rachel Vann and Mac White launched the venue as a labour of love to bring live rock music back to Dudley and to support up and coming local talent.

Faye Farmer and her husband Ben became firm fans and were left heartbroken when the venue closed, so decided to use their spare time in lockdown to spruce up the venue.

Rock fan Faye said: "I was a keen JB's goer back in the day. Dudley was massive for the music but then it just disappeared. But then all of a sudden this place opened and it felt like home. It's made a real community. It was my second home."

Faye and Ben, both from Dudley, joined forces with Rachel and Mac to renovate the venue over lockdown. Faye has juggled the work alongside her job at a school and Ben has volunteered his time while being furloughed.

So far the team have given the exterior a makeover with new paint and they have refreshed the club indoors by adding a seating area, pool table and upgrading the sound system and DJ booth.

They have already starting booking a roster of tribute acts to perform in 2021, from The Killers to Diamond Head and Iron Maiden.

While they are hopeful they may be able to reopen in July as a pub with social distancing measures in place, the date for reopening as a live music venue remains unknown as venues are expected to be among the last places to be allowed to reopen.

Despite the difficult situation the venue has found itself in, Faye has nothing for praise for the people who have stepped in to help Dirty Rockers survive.

She added: "The local bands have been amazing and have worked with us to get a really good line up for 2021. Jason Sykes, the landlord, has been really supportive. We just hope that when we are able to reopen, people will be back to support us."