Business boost in Dudley as new group is set-up

The new business group is made up of industry leaders and companies from across the borough.

Dudley Council leader, Councillor Patrick Harley is spearheading the initiative which is aimed at encouraging growth.

The group will act as ambassadors for the borough and identify opportunities as well as constraints for businesses and feed them back to the council and partners. They will also work with the council to promote the borough to key investors, developers and visitors.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said: “One of my key priorities as leader of the council is to ensure that we do everything within our powers and resources to facilitate economic growth. To achieve this we need to work more closely with partners and stakeholders across the borough, the wider Black Country and the emerging West Midlands Combined Authority.

“There is a lot to be positive about in Dudley. But we also need to identify and deal with any areas which are unhelpful for businesses who want to invest.

“The voice of business is critical to my aim. We must listen to our existing businesses and with partners do what we can to ensure that the conditions and support are in place to encourage business growth and attract new investment.”

The council has recently made headlines with a number of big regeneration initiatives. The council has also been working with the Combined Authority Mayor to submit a business case for the Midland Metro extension from Brierley Hill. The new DY5 enterprise zone also officially opened for business.

There are also plans for a very light rail innovation centre at Castle Hill, Dudley, which added to the recent college developments in the town and the existing key tourist sites across the borough which welcome around one million people a year.

The group includes a number of businesses across the borough as well as representatives from the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

Corin Crane, chief executive at Black Country Chamber of Commerce, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the local authority to get to the heart of what makes businesses tick. It is vital the voice of local business is heard when planning the wider regeneration of Dudley borough. I look forward to positive and fruitful working in the Dudley business champions group.”