Traders reveal fears for town centre business

A DUDLEY trader who is facing financial disaster says Dudley Council's regeneration strategy will not save the town centre.

- MARTYN SMITH Local Democracy Reporter

Abigail Wakelam, from Castle Crafts in Fountain Arcade, is planning to close her shop in the new year after seeing a 75 per cent drop in trade because, she says, shoppers find it difficult to get in and out of the town centre.

Work on the new Midlands Metro link connecting Dudley to the tram line between Birmingham and Wolverhampton is expected to be complete in autumn 2025 while the new bus interchange is also expected to be complete within months.

But traders say disruption from the work plus the removal of two-hours free parking on council car parks is hitting their business.

Ms Wakelam, who sells haberdashery, wool and also hosts knitting classes for people of all ages, believes concentrating on big projects does not help dying business now.

The 38-year-old said: “By the time the tram is complete we will all be gone. Why would people come in if there is nothing to come in too?”