Village firms claim solution to city's empty shops

Kevin Allen runs Gluttons for Nourishment in Wolverhampton and said Tettenhall was a good place to do business

"It's often said we're full of cafes, hairdressers and estate agents," laughs Kevin Allen.

The businessman is talking about Tettenhall, a green and leafy village which is among the most affluent places in Wolverhampton.

The 66-year-old is the owner of Gluttons for Nourishment, a bustling boutique establishment, popular among locals for fresh cakes and afternoon tea.

But he and other traders don't just cater to the wealthy. They believe the area's diverse retail offering is something other places could learn from.

High streets across the UK have found themselves plagued by empty shops.

According to some estimates in 2024, one in seven are thought to be shuttered.

In Wolverhampton, this is perhaps best symbolised by city landmark Beatties, left empty in 2020 after more than 140 years.

Plans have been approved to redevelop the site, with new shops, restaurants and cafes hoping to "re-energise" the streets.

Tettenhall, however, has no such problems, locals claim.

Tettenhall is thriving, say traders in the village

Mr Allan, 66, said he had sought the village out before opening his restaurant, knowing it was a good place to do business.

"We wanted something in Tettenhall," he explained.

"It has proved to be the correct decision."

Chris Wyer has become used to serving famous customers

Chris Wyer, who owns Baked in Tettenhall, has become used to serving famous faces.

The village is thought to be home to several Wolverhampton Wanderers players while cycling champion Hugh Porter is also a regular customer.

The 45-year-old said he was proud to run what he claimed was the only bakery in the city producing real bread without additives or processing aids.

He said he believed businesses like his made the area stand out, at a time where other places were struggling.

"It's a challenging time for the big city centres," Mr Wyer said.

"Customers are longing for something that is a little bit different [and] for us that has been a positive."

Mark Hodgkiss has run Mode Menswear for seven years

Mark Hodgkiss has run Tettenhall's Mode Menswear for seven years.

He claimed any empty units were snapped up almost immediately, with people even asking him to keep an eye out in case any became available.

He also believes lessons can be learned from Tettenhall and said it showed how retailers could succeed.

"It's the kind of shops, customer service and environment that's here," he explained.

"Walk around Wolverhampton and there's loads of boarded-up shops. You walk around Tettenhall and there isn't.

"If you get the units filled with the right things [you will] encourage footfall and growth into the city centre."

City and regional leaders are working to regenerate large swathes of Wolverhampton.

They say it is going through "significant transformation", with millions poured in to transform the city centre and surrounding towns.

In February 2024, the City of Wolverhampton Council launched a taskforce to monitor empty buildings and bring them back into use.

"The benefits of reusing empty buildings and developing vacant sites are considerable, including the provision of new jobs and homes," said council leader Stephen Simkins.