MULTI-MILLION pound plans to bring four new businesses and up to 80 jobs to Dudley have been revealed.

If Dudley planners agree, a Hungry Horse pub, KFC and Costa Coffee could be built on vacant land behind the Premier Inn on Castlegate Drive.

Plans submitted to Dudley Council also seek permission for another unit to be built on the site, which would be used as a restaurant.

Dominic Stokes, who submitted the application on behalf of Stoford Properties Ltd, told the News that the town was worth investing in, adding: "The operators clearly see this area of Dudley as a destination for leisure activities.

"With the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Zoo and Castle, further development at Castle Hill and the obvious success of the cinema, bowling and restaurants at Castlegate, it’s easy to see why.

"The road network and transport infrastructure is excellent and there are hotels and an improving town centre."

The development would create around 80 full time equivalent jobs, including management positions and apprenticeships - news that has been welcomed by Dudley North MP Ian Austin, who said: “This is good news for Dudley.

"These sites have stood empty for too long, but these plans will bring dozens of jobs, opportunities for young people and more leisure facilities to the area.”

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said although the proposal needed to go through the normal planning process to be determined, it showed the town was an "attractive place for major, national brands to invest".

He added: “Dudley is open for businesses and any proposals to create jobs and investment is good news for the borough.

"We are supportive of any scheme which complements the exciting and innovative developments we have already put in place or are on the drawing board in Dudley town centre including very light rail, the new market place and the expansion of Dudley College.

"This all has a huge impact on our well publicised ambition to bring more tourists and visitors to Dudley than ever before by investing in areas such as Castle Hill.”

The application is expected to go before the council's Development Control Committee in the coming weeks.