New business partnership set up for Dudley town centre

A new multi-stakeholder partnership has been formed with local businesses to stimulate the local economy and improve the vibrancy of Dudley town centre.

The Dudley Town Centre Partnership Group is supported by Dudley Council with national government funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will work in conjunction with key stakeholders including Dudley Council.

The business-led steering group has an allocated budget and meets monthly to drive change, working collaboratively to deliver projects recommended by businesses to activate and improve the town.

Cllr Paul Bradley, deputy leader of Dudley Council said:

“Collaborative stakeholder groups help to enable change on our high streets but a recent report from High Streets Task Force found that 40 per cent of towns do not have local partnerships in place.

“We know it has been a difficult few years for businesses but we hope this new group aims to give Dudley town businesses a voice and platform to come together while identifying ways to improve the vibrancy of our town centre.

“We’ve already seen positive change including improved cleaning with the introduction of a dedicated full time neighbourhood services operative.”

Dudley Council recently appointed independent advisors ‘Heartflood’ and ‘Save the High Street’ to facilitate formation of the new Town Centre Partnership. The group also holds quarterly open focus groups on particular topics and town centre businesses are encouraged to get involved in the coming months.

Julie Holden, Community Director at Save the High Street added:

“Now more than ever we need to encourage collaboration and work together to strengthen and improve our town centres and high streets.

We are delighted to be partnering with Heartflood to deliver this valuable project, and to be continuing our work to support Dudley town centre businesses.”

Businesses in the town centre are welcome to join the group and can find out more by contacting Dudley Business First on info@dudleybusinessfirst.org.uk

Diane Shawe a member of the steering group for Dudle Town Centre Partnership explains that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local businesses, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Business support may be available for local businesses, including a free business diagnostic, by registering with a business advisor at https://www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk/

Visit www.savethehighstree.org website to find out more about forthcoming events and meetings.