Shoppers put Halesowen in front in coronavirus recovery

Halesowen shoppers are delivering a huge boost to Dudley borough, with research from the High Streets Task Force showing the market town had the greatest footfall recovery rate of all UK shopping destinations.

Dudley Council is supporting traders across the borough with several measures in place to protect jobs and support recovery. This includes offering free pitches for market traders, free parking season tickets for traders and business rates relief.

The entire West Midlands region has seen the highest footfall recovery in the country, recording 52 per cent of the previous year’s footfall. This is in comparison to Greater London, which records only 31 per cent, the lowest footfall recovery rate in the country.

Halesowen is also recorded as having the closest level of footfall rates to the previous year’s performance during the week of June 15 to 21, when essential retailers were given the green light to reopen as lockdown eased.

The local authority works closely with Halesowen BID and The Cornbow shopping centre.

The Cornbow is approved by Public Health Dudley for the safety measures it has put in place during the pandemic.

Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: “Dudley Council is urging everyone to shop and eat locally to help support our borough’s recovery and I would remind people there is still time to take advantage of the government’s ‘eat out to help out scheme’.”

Adrian Oliver, director of Tansor REC, which owns The Cornbow, said: “It’s a testing time for businesses, but The Cornbow, and the loyalty of its shoppers, has continued to shine through, strengthening, and adding to, our healthy line-up of retailers. Thank you, Halesowen.”

Picture above taken before pandemic.