In pictures: The Olympic Torch comes to Dudley
Traders in Dudley were today reaping the benefits of an expected six-figure windfall after the Olympic Torch came to the borough.
Crowds of thousands lined Birmingham New Road, Tipton Road and the pathways of the Black Country Living Museum when the iconic symbol came to town.
Not only were young and old able to take in the historic occasion on Saturday, but also the passing trade generated from the people who took to the streets delivered a welcome boost to borough businesses.
Dudley South MP Chris Kelly estimated the borough's windfall would top six figures.
He said: "There must be 30,000 people out on the streets of Dudley today and I suspect most of those will spend a couple of pounds in the borough on average each, so that's at least a six-figure boost for Dudley.
"Not only is this good for trade but it's great to see the Black Country Living Museum work with LOCOG to showcase the best of the region's great heritage, historic canal network and its industry."
Dudley Mayor Councillor Melvyn Mottram added: "We've had a very proud weekend but nothing would have been possible without a great turnout from the people of Dudley."
Businesses at Castlegate, opposite the museum and along the torch's route, enjoyed a bumper day on Saturday.
Chris Hall, deputy manager at the Bostin Fittle pub for the past seven years, said 25 members of staff were called into work instead of the usual 18 of a Saturday to cope with demand.
He added: "We had to fill our cellar to get ready so we had an extra 500 pints of beer for the occasion."
Afia Sirkhot (Corr), manager of the McDonald's franchise at Castlegate for four years, even called workers over from a sister branch in Halesowen, doubling usual Saturday numbers to 45 for the torch's arrival.
Mrs Sirkhot, who was born in Tipton, said the fast food giant ordered an extra 300 burger buns and the associated fillings just for Saturday and were replenishing supplies with another delivery on Sunday.
Jaspereit Gakhal (corr) who runs The Tasty Fryer in Roseville, said she nearly doubled the number of bags of potatoes with 50 for her fish and chip shop customers.
Mike Duley, director of Dudley Canal Trust, said the once-in-a-lifetime event had also seen a surge in first-time bookings for the trust.
He said: "And we've got lots of events later in the year such as for Halloween and Aladdin in pantomime for Christmas which may also have more demand due to the interest generated by the torch."
Torchbearers enjoyed a rare honour and were also given a memento by Dudley Council in the form of glass hearts representing the heart of the region, and fashioned in its glass quarter.
Ross Ensor, an 18-year-old Dudley College student, carried the historic symbol into the Dudley Canal Trust venue before it boarded the President narrowboat.
He said: "It was almost overwhelming to see so many people queuing.
"I will always be proud of that, it still hasn't really sunk in, I don't think."
Dennis Sanders, a 75-year-old of Great Barr, carried the torch aboard the President as it docked at the museum.
Mr Sanders, who runs Pax Liberations releasing doves for memorials and tributes, said: "It was a great pleasure but I also felt for the 14,000 people who missed out this year.
"My wife Joan was even more excited than me about it."
The UK's youngest torchbearer Dominic Macgowan, aged 11, who attends Leasowes Community College, Halesowen carried the flame on its journey through Birmingham yesterday.
His mother Jan said: "It was marvellous. When he got off the bus he said the crowd were really keen to get their picture with him and it sunk in for him then really."
Caroline Hickman, a teacher of 14 years at Brierley Hill's Brockmoor Primary School, was among the crowds with husband Aaron, an accountant, and son Daniel, aged seven, and daughter Lucy, five.
Mrs Hickman, daughter of long-time comedian Tommy Mundon, said: "It made you feel proud to be British to see so many people getting together and celebrating in such style."
Claire Duberley, a supervisor of Bramford Primary School who lives in Cannon Drive, Coseley, enjoyed the festivities with partner Andrew and daughter Georgina. She said: "It was such a lovely day, it was great to feel part of something with everyone else in the country."
