Shopkeepers and business owners in Dudley are expressing deep fears that shoppers will never return to the town centre, blaming prolonged and disruptive works on three major transport projects for devastating their trade.
'Catastrophic' impact on local businesses
Works are currently underway to construct a new transport interchange on the site of the old bus station, extend the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro line, and carry out major road improvements at Burnt Tree Junction. However, the interchange and Metro projects have been hit by significant delays. While both are anticipated to finish this year, no firm completion dates have been set, and they are unlikely to be operational for passengers before the summer.
At a recent Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, Councillor David Stanley stated the road works had caused huge disruption for local businesses. The situation has left many traders struggling to survive.
John Gardiner, of Dubliners bar on Birdcage Walk adjacent to the closed bus station, said his business and others have seen trade plummet. "We've remained loyal and positive but all the shops here are, I'd say, 60 or 70 per cent down in trade," he said. "To us, catastrophic is the only word I can use... Dudley is gridlocked. This is a small town which has been deprived of a localised transport hub."
Mr Gardiner, who has run a business in Dudley for nearly three decades, expressed scepticism that customers would return. "What they've done is torn a town up and they expect people to come back after massive delays. They are not coming back," he warned.
A town centre left behind
The Dudley bus station closed on January 14, 2024, and traders report an immediate and severe drop in footfall. Alison Wade, of Cards 4 You in the Churchill Shopping Centre, questioned the planning of the works. "They started the work going towards Merry Hill but why couldn't they finish the work here before moving over?" she asked, noting that work was suspended at the Merry Hill shopping centre over Christmas but not in Dudley town centre.
The impact is starkly visible at Dudley Market, which underwent a £150,000 refurbishment last year. On a recent Thursday, only four stalls were in use. Fruit and veg trader Graham Southall, a market stalwart for 20 years, described the impact as "terrible". He explained that elderly customers, who relied on the nearby bus station, can no longer carry their shopping bags long distances.
Danyell Goodyear, who runs Elizabeth Lorine Flowers in the Fountain Arcade, said the changes to road layouts and parking charges have driven custom online and left the area feeling like a "ghost town". She highlighted the loss of elderly regulars who now find the walk from distant bus stops too arduous.
Support and future promises
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) stated it understands the challenges faced by businesses and thanked them for their patience. A spokesperson said: "We have taken action to minimise disruption and support local traders where possible, including financial assistance payments for some businesses, free marketing campaigns and seasonal events to attract customers."
They emphasised that the projects, delivered with Dudley Council, are part of wider plans to regenerate the town and will bring long-term economic benefits for residents and business owners.
However, John Gardiner reported he had not received any financial help, and many traders feel abandoned. With businesses still recovering from the pandemic, they say there is very little breathing room left for survival. The prevailing fear is that by the time the projects are complete, it will be too late, with a hollowed-out town centre and shopping habits permanently changed.
