Entertainment company Zombie Infection is transforming a former magistrates’ court on Lombard Street West into an escape room attraction.

The Victorian building, with its historic cells, courts and corridors, offers the perfect backdrop to the Zombie Infection event, which is set in an apocalyptic future. Up to sixteen players have two or three hours to work together and fight through hoards of zombies to solve puzzles and complete objectives in order to survive. The game will work with the property’s existing layout, without the need for structural alterations, weaving its history and architectural features into the event’s story.

Work has already begun on the grade II-listed building, which was built in 1890 but closed in 2011 as part of a national review of court facilities. It has stood empty ever since and Sandwell Council welcomed the recent application for change of use from courtroom to entertainment venue.

Zombie Infection runs events in a number of cities across the UK, including Sheffield, Liverpool, Leicester and Birmingham. It uses a variety of old and interesting buildings on an ad hoc basis, but hopes that having a consistent venue will help take the business to the next level. Zombie Infection intends to open its new West Bromwich base in July, running up to four events a day at weekends.

If you’re looking for the perfect property for your business, then take a look at our Property & Planning pages to see what Sandwell has to offer.