Mayor's £300,000 package to help Dudley traders benefit from tram link and new bus station
Dudley traders will benefit from a £300,000 package to help them make the most of the new tram extension and bus station when they open this year.
Richard Parker, elected mayor for the West Midlands, said he was keen for shopkeepers to be ready to benefit from the arrival of new transport infrastructure.
He said better days were ahead for the town.
The money would be available for improvements to the town centre, as well as support for individual businesses and a marketing campaign to boost trade, he said.
He said “I know it’s been a struggle for both retailers and hospitality businesses in recent years as they’ve had to cope with the rising cost of living and wider challenges from online shopping to our high streets.
“But better days are ahead. The new Metro line and transport interchange will be a fantastic gateway to the town centre, offering a modern, affordable and reliable way to visit. And I want to make sure those businesses are ready to make the most of it.
“So this funding will be used to both attract more visitors to town centre and give them a reason to keep coming back time and time again.”
The package includes £150,000 grant funding through Business Growth West Midlands to offer tailored support to shops and businesses in the area around the new bus station.
A further £160,000 will be spent on public spaces around the bus station, and a budget has also been set aside for marking activity, including advertising and events, to encourage more people to visit the town.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said he had asked the West Midlands Combined Authority to develop a package of town centre support.
"I'm very pleased to see that effort realised in this new funding commitment," he said.
“It demonstrates a clear understanding of the pressures local traders have faced and provides exactly the type of practical help needed to ensure they can take full advantage of the opportunities presented by securing funding to improve our town centre.
“This package is a significant step forward in supporting businesses, improving the town centre environment, and ensuring Dudley is ready to thrive as new major transport projects come online.”
A spokesman for West Midlands Combined Authority said construction of the new tramline from Wednesbury to Dudley town centre was now complete, and testing well under way ready for opening in late summer, while a further extension to the Merry Hill shopping centre was now under construction.
The new bus station which will also include a tram stop, was also nearing completion and expected to open in the autumn.
Dudley Council is also carrying out a major upgrade of the Burnt Tree junction to improve bus and cycle access into the town.
