The leader of Dudley Council met traders from Brierley Hill Market and found out how one business has transformed itself with cashless payments thanks to a £1,000 grant.

Councillor Patrick Harley toured the market as part of his Made in Dudley Borough initiative.

Traders showed the vast array of goods on sale at the market including furniture, food, clothes, keys, toys, sweets and much more.

He chatted to one stall holder who had been successful in applying for an Additional Restriction Grant during the covid period which had transformed her business, with help from Dudley Business First.

Tracy Lowe, who owns and runs the Memories card stall on the market, is now able to take cashless payments thanks to a new system which is linked to all of her personal tech. Tracy said:

“I’ve been running the stall for 13 years but like many other traders, covid hit me hard. When we came out of the restrictions many people had stopped using cash and we needed to change with the times.

“Thankfully the council helped me apply for a grant and I was able to invest in a cashless system. It’s made a massive difference to how we do business.”

Councillor Harley chatted to other stall holders, many of whom make their own products in the Dudley borough and sell them on the market.

The market celebrates its 97^th year this year but traders have been selling goods on the site for well over 100 years. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, added:

“It is fantastic to see local businesses fighting back from a very difficult couple of years. We worked really hard to support them with a range of grants and I am glad to see that has helped people, as we can see at Memories.

“We really want to encourage people to shop locally and support traders such as the hard-working people on Brierley Hill Market. It’s been a tough time but we are doing all we can to support them.

“There are lots of car parks in and around the town centre with two hours free parking as well, so that really helps.”

Dudley Business First, the council’s business support team, offers all-year-round support to business on grants, accessing finance and much more.

Business can get in touch with them via the website at dudleybusinessfirst.org.uk.