Traders tell MP of struggle to cope

Andrew Mitchell MP, who is shadow secretary of state for international development and shadow minister for the West Midlands, took a trip to the Dudley South constituency.

He was invited to Kingswinford by Conservative parliamentary candidate for Dudley South, Chris Kelly.

The politicians toured the precinct and Townsend Place to discover how independent traders and small businesses were coping with the economic downturn.

During the visit it emerged traders were feeling the pinch and told the Sutton Coldfield MP takings were definitely down. The two visited the Mary Stevens Hospice shop to speak to staff about trading conditions.

Mr Kelly said the shop assistants were "reasonably upbeat".

But their visit to the village market revealed a fruit stallholder was no longer travelling to his pitch in Worcester due to rising fuel costs, and choosing to stay in Kingswinford. Butcher Rob Newey said the shadow minister seemed to be concerned about the plight of the traders and the fact that everyone was struggling.

He said: "Since January sales have gone way way down. The way trade has suddenly dropped has been a real kick where it hurts. We have dropped our margins - we are doing everything we can to encourage people to come to us. Everybody in the village is doing their best to keep the wheels turning, but I do think Woolworths closing has a big effect on a little village."

As well as Woolworths, Kingswinford has been hit by other high-profile closures, including the loss of bakers Firkins and Tylers Electrical.

Mr Kelly said: "We had a very successful visit. But traders are having to pedal harder than ever just to stand still.

"It's very difficult for the independent traders. Small businesses are really struggling."