The Red House Glass Cone is preparing to hold a Christmas craft fair and official reopening event this weekend.

The site has undergone a £1.5 million restoration over the last 12 months, with partial closures while essential but sensitive work has been carried out, and this weekend will mark the completion of the programme.

On Saturday 23 November The Mayor of Dudley will officially reopen the site at 1.30pm, as part of an event funded by Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund. People can enjoy refreshments on site from onsite ‘Café 2 U’, a Christmas choir will perform at 2pm, and Mrs Clause and Santa will be on site for seasonal photo opportunities throughout the day.

Handmade quality goods will be available in the Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November, from 11am to 4pm on both days, and the cone’s Christmas shop is now open.

The annual Christmas Tree Festival will begin over the weekend and people will also be able to take part in the Christmas trail, which runs until 21st December, with the first 150 children who complete the trail to receive a keepsake glass token, made on site by resident artist Bethany Wood.

Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of the council, said:

“The Red House Glass Cone offers a unique experience, and I am sure there will be many visitors kickstarting their Christmas celebrations with the events taking place this weekend.

“We are thrilled to be fully reopening, after an incredible programme of works that has been undertaken to protect and conserve this precious site for future generations.

“During the restoration, the cone’s visitor centre, shop and studios have remained open and were recently assessed by Visit England. For the third year running, the site has secured gold status from the national tourism agency.”

Glass fusing sessions, to make decorative Christmas Trees, are available to book now via ticketsource.co.uk.