Two more shops to close in Dudley as delays to tram and bus station criticised

Another shop in Dudley town centre has announced it is to close, blaming delays to the completion of the tramline and bus station for a drop in customers.

Scent from Dudley, in the Churchill Shopping Centre, will close on June 13. The news comes a year after Cronin’s Books & Bits store directly opposite closed, also citing disruption to the town’s transport network.

Meanwhile, Shoezone - the town centre’s last remaining dedicated shoe shop - has also announced it will be closing in the summer.

The tramline from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill, via Dudley, was originally to have been completed in its entirety by the end of 2023.

Delays caused by the coronavirus lockdown saw the completion date for the Wednesbury-Dudley link postponed initially until summer 2024, and then until autumn 2025. It is now due to open on August 28 this year.

Construction of the town’s £24 million new bus station has also been blamed for disruption. Work started on the building, which will also include a tram platform, in January 2024, and it was due to open in spring. It will now not open until September.

Transport for West Midlands says it has provided support for businesses affected by the work, and would be making £300,000 available to help them make the most of the new transport services when they open.

Paul Heard and Julie Burford, who have run the shop which sells candles, fragrance and bath scents for five years, issued a statement expressing their sadness at the decision.

They said: “Over recent years, our beloved town has seen numerous regeneration projects, including the new bus station and the Midland Metro, which we fully support.

“Unfortunately these projects are long overdue, and ongoing delays have led to a significant drop in footfall.

“We have watched many neighbouring businesses close, and have held on, hoping that by the end of our lease the bus station would be open and the Metro running. Sadly this has not happened.”

They said that had the projects been completed on time, they would have considered renewing their lease, but the uncertainty made it too much of a risk.

“This is our town, we live here are are genuinely excited for the future of the bus station and the Metro, but without a strong retail presence in the town, there will be little incentive for people to use these services. At present, that presence simply doesn’t exist.”

They said that while the Dudley show would be closing next month, they would be opening a smaller shop in Stourbridge’s Ryemarket shopping centre.

“Though it’s a smaller space, we’re excited to offer a carefully curated selection of products, creating a more focused shopping experience.”

Shoezone, in Dudley market place, is expected to close in August.

A Transport for West Midlands spokesman said: “We recognise the significant challenges local retailers have faced during construction and are sincerely grateful for their patience as we enter the final stages.

“We wish Scent every success in their new home and we will continue to support town centre traders and keep disruption to a minimum.

“This includes providing direct financial assistance to some businesses along with free marketing campaigns and seasonal events to drive footfall.

“We also recently announced a £300,000 funding package to help businesses take full advantage of the improved transport links coming to the town shortly. These are part of wider plans to make Dudley a great place to live, work and do business for many years come.”