Angry traders hit out as busy Brierley Road closed for a week

Dudley Road was closed to traffic from Saturday to Thursday after panels came off the former Pulse nightclub, narrowly missing people waiting at a nearby bus stop.

Dudley Council was aware of the issue on Saturday and said on Monday it had organised a contractor to remove dangerous panels and make the roof safe "as a matter of urgency".

However the road, which is next to Brierley Hill High Street and was closed between Level Street and Venture Way, did not reopen until Thursday evening and nearby traders say they were left in the dark as their businesses suffered.

Robert Mantle, who runs Flowers Now with his wife Diane, said: "It has been a right nuisance – we are losing business.

"The last we heard off the council was that they were waiting for contractors to finish another job.

"It must be really annoying to a lot of people as it's normally a very busy road. It has been very disruptive to us.

"We have been in limbo really. I would like to see that building pulled down personally. It's more of a concern because that building is such an eyesore."

'No passing trade'

Diane said: "It has really been affecting us. We often get a lot of passing trade – and this week we have had none."

Another local business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It has been a bit of a pain really.

"I really do appreciate there's safety concerns and keeping the public safe. When it was horrendous weather on the Saturday night I get but we are nearly a week into it now.

"It is getting ridiculous now. Our whole business has been put on a standstill."

Parvez Ali, who owns Royal Adeel, added: "It has been nearly a week now and nothing had been done. It's been ridiculous. We have had customers complaining about it. They have been cancelling and we have plenty of bookings cancelled.

"We just want it back to normal and business as usual for everyone here."