Delight over investment showcase aiming to improve Dudley's fortunes despite disruption
With major construction underway on a new bus and tram station among other multi-million pound projects, Dudley chiefs are celebrating their latest success.
Dudley's bosses have been showing off its growing opportunity portfolio and ambitious regeneration plans to developers, investors and other partners.
They held an event at the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre, in Zoological Drive, featuring a wide range of investment-ready sites, surplus council-owned assets and commercial opportunities available across the borough. Delegates also learned more about the council’s structured support offer for investors, including inward investment support, access to innovative funding, business growth programmes and tailor-made recruitment services.
Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley said: “This event has shown, once again, that confidence in Dudley is growing at an incredible pace. Investors can see the scale of transformation happening here and the commitment we have to delivering high‑quality regeneration across our borough. The interest and enthusiasm in the room today proves that Dudley is not only open for business, we are leading the way in creating new opportunities, new jobs and a vibrant future for our communities.”
In addition the council launched its new asset prospectus in print and online format to help promote a dedicated and streamlined approach to its investment and business support packages.
The event highlighted Dudley’s rapidly evolving infrastructure, including the delayed £24m bus and Metro interchange, due for completion later this year, which will further enhance local, regional and national transport links and further adds to the high value investment opportunity here in Dudley.
Participants were also introduced to Dudley’s newly appointed directors who are spearheading the council’s asset programme and its commitment to delivering high‑quality, sustainable development.
Dudley’s selection as one of only six new National Heritage Places for 2025 was also highlighted, unlocking access to a share of £200m in National Lottery Heritage Fund investment and presenting major placemaking opportunities across the borough.
The investment project is being funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The interchange scheme is being carried out by Transport for West Midlands which has confirmed that the new station will be opened later in the year following delays including a drawn out legal battle with supermarket giant Farmfoods, whose shop was demolished to make way for the scheme. The opening of the extended West Midlands Metro tram line to the town had also been delayed until August - two years behind schedule.
Other developments include the £26m Health Innovation College at the former site of Dudley Hippodrome, in Castle Hill, to provide training courses for aspiring medical care students.
