Wolverhampton shoppers welcome grant to spruce image

Shoppers in Wolverhampton welcomed news that it will be handed

– but said shopping guru Mary Portas has her work cut out to turn the city's fortunes around.

Wolverhampton beat hundreds of town and cities to scoop the cash and be named a Portas Pilot city. Ideas set to be implemented include a Dragon's Den-style entrepreneurial contest and a modern-day town crier to shout about the city's fortunes at events to help improve its image.

With dozens of shops lying empty in the city after big-name retailers TK Maxx, Game and Woolworths all closed their doors for good, the task facing Portas is to reduce the number of boarded-up shops and improve the city's reputatation as a shopping destination.

Fordhouses resident David Smith, of Beech Road, a software company sales executive, said: "The money won't be enough but it's a start," the 37-year-old said.

"I have to say, I love Wolverhampton and anything that can bring people into the town has got to be a big step.

"The new Poundland store will be a big help as well but I'd like to see names like TK Maxx come back into the centre, rather than out at Bentley Bridge."

Joan Gibbons, aged 74, of Bowdler Road, said the city had an image problem.

She added: "They really need to get more shops in and something like John Lewis would help a lot."

School cook Jackie Ritchie, aged 45 and from Bilston, said: "Parking is a very big issue in Wolverhampton. We need better eating facilities and more of a cafe culture."

Forklift driver Gary Sadler, aged 36, of The Lindens, Tettenhall, said: "I find it to be quite beautiful around here sometimes but we just don't make use of that."

Support worker June Beckett, from Low Hill, suggested more £1 shops were brought into the city.

Anthony Anson, who is aged 30, from Wednesfield Road, said rents should be lowered to attract more businesses.