Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council has completed the purchase of two buildings in a deal that could boost local attractions.

The acquisition of the Royal Brierley Crystal site on Tipton Road and the former Gala Bingo venue on Castle Hill aims to drive forward new developments. Plans for the Tipton Road site could feature a joint access and arrival area between Dudley Zoological Gardens; the Black Country Living Museum; and Dudley Canal Trust and lead to joint ticketing opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Gala Bingo site could be demolished and redeveloped on a smaller scale, or see the removal of the back part of the building to open up views of the castle. A vision and implementation plan for the Castle Hill 'cluster' has already been drawn up by the council and New Heritage Regeneration.