Cradley Heath traders take action to fill up town centre

Business owners met to thrash out regeneration proposals, with many calling for more high street shops to open and better parking facilities.

Councillor Anne Shackleton, who represents Cradley Heath, said the town was missing out as shoppers drive straight though on their way to the likes of Merry Hill shopping centre in Brierley Hill.

But she said she was still positive about the future of Cradley Heath.

She said: "Cradley has been under pressure to compete with the bigger towns for a long time.

"Shoppers drive through to go to Merry Hill without stopping but we want to encourage more to stay.

"Stores like Wilko would be welcome here but the rent prices for bigger stores are extortionate - which is a problem.

"I will also shortly be in contact with Oyster to see if they can give us an update on their market plans.

"However, we have had a brilliant turnout to this meeting. We have got the right attitude from businesses to push the town forward."

More than 30 traders attended the public meeting on Tuesday night at Fourways Baptist Church, in Corngreaves Road.

The Tesco-dominated high street has been the focus of empty shops and dwindling numbers of shoppers since the superstore's arrival in 2007.

Meanwhile, the two-month gas works in the town centre have also sparked anger amongst traders. But there was some good news for businesses as October 30 has been earmarked for the potential end of the upheaval, with the hope of a bigger workforce to be brought in to speed up completion.

Rajesh Sethi, manager of Ransons discount store in High Street, said: "It has caused a lot of disruption but hearing that it should be finished by the end of October is good as it is going on later than we thought anyway.

"Ultimately Cradley Heath needs more footfall. We need more shoppers who want to come here and actually stay to shop rather than carry on to Merry Hill.

"If the council work together with us then we could bring more bigger name shops here.

"We need more parking options to encourage people to come here too. In the last five years I have seen the number of shoppers decrease and it is concerning."

Christmas plans were also discussed at the meeting, with a new project co-ordinator being brought on board to organise the festive season - including the return of the best decorated shop competition.