A visit by MPs from the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee to the Black Country Living Museum has brought a national spotlight to the challenges and potential facing Dudley’s town centre.
Part of a nationwide inquiry
As part of the committee’s nationwide inquiry into the future of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Dudley MP Sonia Kumar led discussions with Council Leader Patrick Harley on how to breathe new life into the town’s high street. Central to the talks were plans to revitalise disused spaces, improve accessibility and support local entrepreneurship.
Local MP, Sonia Kumar, said: “Revitalising empty buildings and underused spaces is key to breathing new life into our town centres.”
A collaborative effort
The visit, which included a tour of the high street and conversations with local traders, marks a push from Westminster to engage directly with business owners. Kumar was joined by a DMBC development officer and fellow MP Charlie Maynard, reinforcing a collaborative approach between Parliament and local authorities.
Committee Chair Liam Byrne praised Kumar’s leadership in enabling the visit: “A huge thanks to Committee member Sonia Kumar for her brilliant work helping to bring together today’s roundtable as part of the launch of our new inquiry into small business — the engine room of jobs, innovation, and growth in every part of Britain.”
Further visits are planned
With further visits planned across the UK, the committee hopes to build a comprehensive picture of how best to support SMEs in an uncertain economic landscape amid staunch criticism facing the government’s economic policy.
