Can't find a venue for your band rehearsal, community group or art exhibition? As Edward Cameron has discovered, you could be just the person the owners of a landmark building in Birmingham are looking for.

The developers who are working out what to do with a former Erdington tool factory have sent a plea to Birmingham community groups to find a temporary use for it.

Urban Splash, the people behind the renewal of Fort Dunlop and the Rotunda, have taken over the old Cincinnati building in Kingsbury Road which closed down at the beginning of the year.

But they are afraid that while they are sorting out their designs for the building it could get invaded by squatters or vandalised if it is left vacant.

In an email sent to people around Birmingham, Simon Crouch from Fort Dunlop's marketing suite appealed for suggestions of groups who could use it to stage evening classes, bands or anything arty the people want.

He said: “We are contacting you as a point of reference to see if you may have any potential groups who may be interested in using the space or could orchestrate any potential events.

“From our point of view we have a building that could potentially stand vacant for a period of months before contractors come onto site and we wish to see the building made use of, for both help of the community but also from a security standpoint to avoid vandalism and squatters which could be a problem, whilst it is vacant.

“I must stress this is decision is not profit driven, we have a desire to see the building being used and enjoyed, subject to contract in the short term.”

Anyone wanting to put themselves forward can write to Simon Crouch, Fort Dunlop Marketing Suite, Fort Dunlop, Fort Parkway, Birmingham B24 9FD