Final call for £350,000 grant scheme for Wolverhampton traders hit by controversial roadworks

In April Wolverhampton Council brought in a relaunch grant to support traders – and the deadline for applications expires today.

Traders have already spoken of their anger at how the grant has been handled, accusing the council of "harassment and bullying" and of peddling "misinformation" over deadlines.

A total pot of £350,000 has been allocated for grants through the scheme, which opened on April 3 and was extended on May 25 amid complaints from traders. Businesses can claim up to £5,000 each, and so far 40 traders have applied.

The Labour-run authority's deputy leader and economy chief, Councillor Steve Simkins, said: "We are supporting the traders in ways other councils wouldn’t and it is entirely down to them if they wish to apply for this grant.

"Our sole motivation is to support businesses to take this opportunity as it would be a shame for them to miss out – and I would urge any eligible traders who have yet to apply for the grant to act fast. Our officers are on hand to provide one-to-one support with the application process for any traders that need it.

"The Victoria Street and North Street areas are now fully open following extensive public realm improvement works that are part of a £22 million package of investment in the west side of the city centre.

"A better environment has been created that is attracting more visitors and will enable businesses to thrive and grow through a blended approach of retail supported by events and activities in quality public spaces and city centre living."

Mr Simkins said businesses had "already benefitted" from events including the city's inaugural arts festival and Pride, which had brought "thousands of visitors" to the Victoria Street area. He also said people were "enjoying the new space" around the Civic halls, which reopened this year following a long-delayed, budget-busting revamp.

At a scrutiny board meeting earlier this month, Bilvir Chander Kumar from the Westside Traders Group said footfall had remained low since Victoria Street reopened.

Conservative councillor Ellis Turrell, vice chair of the council's scrutiny board, said the scheme had caused "immense harm to our local economy".

"Many businesses have sadly closed and left the city as a direct consequence of the council's roadworks, and those that are still going have suffered a huge financial hit," he said.

"While some financial support from the council is better than none, the message I have repeatedly heard from traders is that this one-off grant of £5,000 doesn't even begin to cover their losses.

"That is why opposition councillors have argued for a compensation scheme similar to what was put in place for Bilston Road businesses a few years ago.

"The council could have chosen to put in place some other measures to encourage customers to return to Victoria Street, such as free car parking, but sadly these proposals have been rejected. I sincerely hope that the relaunch grant isn't too little, too late for the businesses."

Wolverhampton Council insists the grants are "not intended to recompense for loss or hardship" but will help traders "seize upon the opportunities" created by the works.

They were launched after a previous scheme offering "disruption payments" was taken up by only five traders, with the council claiming dozens of others had not met "eligibility requirements".

The works on Victoria Street have seen a number of traders go out of business, including long-running operations Toni & Guy and Le Monde.

Visit wolverhampton.gov.uk/business/employersupport for business support or call 01902 555572.