Search starts for centre manager

A new manager for a Black Country town is not expected to be announced for at least two months as recruiting for the top post gets under way and candidates are whittled down.

Dudley Council today confirmed the position for Stourbridge town centre manager had now been advertised with applications expected to come in over the next month.

Interviews will then be held with potential candidates before a final decision is made by council chiefs.

Bosses from the council hope to have the post filled in around two months time – ready for the summer. The post was left vacant after previous manager Matt Caddick stepped down last week following a three-and-a-half year tenure in the role.

He left to take up a similiar post in Warwick bringing the experience learned during his time in Stourbridge to his new position.

During his time as manager, Mr Caddick helped groups with a number of projects including the town's successful entry into the Britain in Bloom competition and the introduction of a Harvest Festival event.

The town's twice monthly farmers' market also grew in popularity as did annual events such as the Christmas lights switch-on and the summer carnival.

Mr Caddick also oversaw developments such as the repainting of the town centre clock into Stourbridge's blue and gold livery and the replacement of lamposts and litter bins in the High Street.

Groups in the town praised his accessibility and hoped it would continue with the new town centre manager when they were appointed. Stourbridge township council vice-chairman John Shepherd said: "Matt always listened carefully to any concerns and did his best to do something positive about them.

"Hopefully it will be the same with the new person who is appointed to the position."

Dudley Council spokeswoman Katherine Finney said: "We are currently in the process of recruiting. The position has been advertised and we hope to have someone in post in around two months."