Express & Star

Traders braced for Wolverhampton city centre revamp

Traders were today braced for what will be the greatest overhaul of Wolverhampton's city centre streets in years.

Published

Work will swing into action tomorrow on the £1.6 million scheme but a city MP has warned that businesses should be protected at all costs during the disruption.

Paul Uppal said traders 'should be compensated' if the revamp, that will change the way motorists, commuters and shoppers get around the city, fails.

It is part of a project by Wolverhampton City Council aimed at bringing in more people, which bosses say will make it easier for people to get around.

The changes will see part of Princess Street become pedestrianised, the traffic flow on Queen Street reversed, Market Street become one way between Bilston Street and Queen Street and parking bays on Berry Street removed.

For a special report and a map of the changes, see today's Express & Star

The road markings will be put in place on Saturday with Market Street and Queen Street closed as well as part of Princess Street when thousands of football fans are expected to descend on the city for Wolves' home clash against Blackburn Rovers.

What do you think of the changes? Have your say in the comments below.

The changes will come into force on Sunday. The Wolverhampton South West MP says he wants the authority to conduct month-by-month reviews on the impact the changes are having on businesses and demanded a contingency plan for traders should their takings see a drop.

He said: "What we don't want to see is empty shops in Wolverhampton.

"The council must work with businesses along Princess Street, Market Street and Queen Street. They need to have a plan in place that should trade drop then the council should offer business rate relief as a form of compensation."

Jas Dhillon, who runs Home Kitchen on Princess Street, said: "The more I have thought of the plans the more I have questioned its purpose.

They're making the street for pedestrians from between Berry Street and Queen Street. Well the only businesses there are a pub, a jewellers and a bookies."

Bal Sindhu, owner of Lifestyle Off Licence on Queen Street, said: "It could work in theory because you should get a greater number of footfall passing by the shops."

Council regeneration chief Councillor Peter Bilson said it will support other developments.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.