Stourbridge traders are bracing themselves for another difficult year ahead with business leaders predicting it will be “the toughest 12 months yet” for the town.

Shops in the centre have faced a number of challenges in 2006 with the loss of a number of high-profile stores and the constant problems of roadworks along many of the town’s major routes.

Traders have been a given a glimmer of hope over the past month with strong Christmas sales and the announcement of plans to open a new Tesco supermarket in the town centre.

But business leaders say neither will be enough to boost the town significantly over the coming year – nor will plans to introduce parking charges at the Merry Hill Shopping Centre.

Chairman of Stourbridge Chamber of Trade Alan Fisher said he had predicted a tough 2006 and felt exactly the same way about the coming year. “If the past year was a challenging one then 2007 is going to be even more so with the town having to fight for trade in every area.” he said.