Dudley North MP, Ian Austin, and the Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Dave Tyler, will be in the Fountain Arcade today to officially open a new independent store.

The duo will cut the ribbon at 'Soap and Stone' in the Fountain Arcade at 12:30 to open the gift shop run by Dudley Market traders JJ’s Fossils & Minerals and Oh My Soap. Mr Austin said:

“It’s great that another shop is opening in Dudley. We need more independent and local traders and this is a great vote of confidence in the town centre.

“It will be great to meet John and Kelly and be there with Mayor Tyler to open a new business in the heart of Dudley.”

Dudley Mayor Cllr Dave Tyler added:

“I’ve been visiting lots of businesses around Dudley as Mayor but it’s really nice to go to one which is just opening.

"I have met with lots of brilliant and innovative people and it's a great pleasure to see the work they do and the success they are having"