HRH The Duke of Gloucester formally opened the Thomas Robinson building in Lye yesterday.

The Duke unveiled a plaque on the Grade II-listed former Lye and Wollescote Chapels building in Cemetery Road which has been completely refurbished to create Stourbridge Registration Office.

The Duke was met by VIPs including the Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Richard Boot, The High Sheriff of the West Midlands, Dr Keith Bradshaw and the Mayor and Mayoress of Dudley, Councillor Mohammed Hanif and Mrs Zabeeda Khanam. 

The Duke was also introduced to the first married couple at the venue, Chris and Natalie Williams, the parents of the first registered birth, Ashley and Laura Edwards along with baby Henry and the first person to register a death, Mrs Lesley Massey.

The chapel was renamed The Thomas Robinson Building after the original architect.

Members of the trust which carried out the refurbishment were also in attendance.  West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust owns the building and secured money from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with support from Dudley Council to carry out the work.

Built in 1879 the building is made up of two Victorian Gothic-style chapels, one now houses the registration office and in the other is a stylish new wedding suite. Councillor Hanif, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“It was an honour to meet the Duke of Gloucester today in Stourbridge and on behalf of our residents warmly welcomed him to the borough.”