New walkway to link Brierley Hill High Street and Merry Hill

Council bosses want to increase visitor numbers and help breathe new life into the town centre, which has fallen on hard times in recent years.

They are now drawing up regeneration plans to change the fortunes of the town.

A new walkway between the High Street and Merry Hill is among the proposals. It would also link up with The Waterfront complex to make it easier for shoppers to get around the three sites.

Shops and premises in the High Street would also be renovated under the plans being considered by Dudley Council.

Bosses want to increase visitor numbers and help breathe new life into the town centre, which has fallen on hard times in recent years.

Ward councillor Rachel Harris said: "Now that the regeneration of Dudley town centre is nearing an end, the council is turning its attention to other town centres.

"We have been discussing how we can improve the High Street. One of the things we have been looking at is creating a walkway and public space behind the High Street to take people to Merry Hill. We are also discussing renovating the businesses and buildings in the High Street.

"It's early days at the moment but I am really pleased that the council is not just looking at Dudley town centre but also Brierley Hill now. It's very promising."

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "As part of the Brierley Hill Area Action Plan we are looking at ways of creating better links within Brierley Hill town centre including the High Street, Merry Hill and The Waterfront.

"The walkway, when completed, will make all three locations more accessible than ever before and bring more people to the area.

"We are currently looking at the cost of the scheme, and a number of funding sources to finance this important project."

In February, The Moor Centre was snapped up by property firm Evolve Estates for an undisclosed sum.

Traders and councillors welcomed the move and said they hoped it would help the regeneration of the town centre.

Work is also under way to boost the The Waterfront where more than 180 apartments are being built at The Landmark – formerly the Point North offices.

The Dudley Business Investment Zone was launched at The Waterfront in Brierley Hill in April 2014 in a bid by Dudley Council to fill empty office space and create more than a thousand new jobs.

The scheme offers firms moving in a two-year break in business rates while those companies already based there can get discounts for expanding.