A landmark 19th century building which has been restored to its former glory will be open to the public free of charge on Saturday (September 13).

Grade II-listed Baylies Hall, on Tower Street in Dudley town centre, which is home to unique toy auctioneers Aston’s, will be open to the public from 10am to 1pm as part of Heritage Open Days.

In 2011 Baylies Hall benefited from a £200,000 revamp through the Dudley Townscape Heritage Initiative, which restores key historic buildings within the town centre.  The scheme which was supported with money through the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage and Dudley Council, helped fund repairs and the reinstatement of lost architectural details.

Works to Baylies Hall included conserving the Coade stone statues of schoolboys on the facade of the building and restoring ornate railings.

The building dates back to 1824 and was originally built to accommodate the Baylies Charity School.

Councillor Judy Foster, cabinet member for regeneration, said:

“Baylies Hall is a wonderful example of a beautiful and historically important town centre building which has been preserved for the future.  I hope that people enjoy the chance to look behind its doors.”

Other local events taking place during the Heritage Open Days weekend include a Viking family fun day at Broadfield House Glass Museum in Kingswinford on Saturday September 13.

Heritage Open Days  is a scheme which encourages owners of historically important buildings to open them free of charge to the public.  For more details on Heritage Open Days go to www.heritageopendays.org.uk