Nobles Venues - Latest News

Trade Only

Business Venues
	Latest News
	Browse Venues A - Z
	Browse Venues by Location
General Information
	Counties & Regions in England
	NOBLESVENUES.COM ONLINE STORES
	TICKETS FOR ATTRACTIONS, THEATRE, ETC
	TRAVEL LINKS
Trade Resources
You must be logged in to view this trade only content. - sign in or register here
Venue Brands

Home > Latest News

Economic downturn casts doubt on Dudley project

Posted: 10/09/2008

A £100m leisure and heritage redevelopment scheme at Castle Hill in Dudley, UK has been cast into doubt, reports Attractions Management. According to Pete Hayman’s story, proposals for the 148 acre site, first outlined in 2003 by developer St Modwen, would have involved the doubling in size of Dudley Zoo, as well as a new hotel and retail units.
But in the light of the current economic slowdown, John Dodds, regional director for St Modwen, said that revised growth predictions for the zoo have now cast doubt on funding arrangements for the project. "Unfortunately, due to the current economic climate, the zoo has recently advised that its initial visitor and price growth predictions, upon which the funding of this scheme has always rested, are now unachievable," he said. "We were at an advanced stage of concluding the legal agreements with the zoo and the funding agreement with Advantage West Midlands, as well as advancing negotiations with a Garden Centre. The zoo’s news now puts the viability of the scheme into question."
A spokesperson for Dudley Zoo has denied claims that the redevelopment of the attraction was under threat, saying that the project would go ahead even if St Modwen pulled out, albeit on a different timescale.