The issues high on the agenda for voters in Walsall

Perhaps inevitably, shoppers and traders focused on their immediate surroundings and the need to revitalise the once proud shopping centre which is now struggling, as many others across the country are.

But more support for the NHS, tackling fly-tipping and fixing potholes on streets around the borough were also high on the agenda for voters.

Residents will go to the polls on Thursday, with a seat in each of Walsall’s 20 wards up for grabs.

The count will take place the following day and the last ward result is anticipated to be announced at around 1.30pm.

Currently, Walsall’s 60 councillors are made up of 37 Conservatives, 12 from Labour, nine in the Independent Group, one Independent and one of no political party.

Jessica May, aged 22, said she will be voting for the very first time this week.

She said: “I think there needs to be investment in the town centre. You always see empty shops but nothing being done with them.

“Maybe there could be more investment in culture. You’ve got this town centre and you’ve got the town hall, so why not put events on to make people want to come here to visit and spend money with the businesses?

“And as someone who works in healthcare, I think a lot more help needs to be provided into that.”

One woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “I don’t come into Walsall unless I really have to because there isn’t much here. I prefer going to Bloxwich.”

Others made passing comments about the number of beggars and drunks hanging around the town centre.

There are a number of council-led projects in the pipeline aimed at boosting the town centre, such as the £40 million Connected Gateway project which aims to improve links between the bus and rail stations.

A new adult learning facility, a project between the council and Walsall College, will take up most of the existing Marks and Spencer unit which has been empty since the store closed in 2018.

Previously, the authority has invested in jet washing Park Street and beyond and installed new CCTV in efforts to make the centre more welcoming.

But traders said the lack of police presence and the installation of the anti-terror bollards made the place feel uninviting.

Harcharan Pala, Revolution Records based in Retail Multiples on Park Street, said: “Small businesses are not catered for very well.

“They need to do more to boost footfall for traders and there is a lack of investment.

“I appreciate they have plans for the town centre but I really don’t think there is enough going on at the moment.”

John Fisher, who runs the neighbouring J & J Baby Boutique, said: “I will be voting on May 2 and I feel there needs to be serious change to tackle all the issues in the town centre.

“There is a lack of police presence in the town centre and shops are closing down regularly.

“The NHS is in a poor state, trying to get a doctor’s appointment is virtually impossible and roads could do with more money spent on them too.”

Not everyone is fully engaged with the political process, however, as some I spoke to said they wouldn’t vote as, they claimed, “politicians are all the same” and are “only in it for themselves”.

But one gave a slightly more measured reason why he won’t be casting his vote on Thursday.

He said: “I used to vote all the time but haven’t done so in years. Nothing ever seems to change apart from our bills going up.”