Traders breathe a sigh of relief

11:17am Tuesday 19th August 2008

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TRADERS in Quarry Bank are hoping a new facility enabling shoppers to pay bills will bring customers back to the ailing High Street.

Businesses have been feeling the pinch since Quarry Bank’s estate office closed in January, as regular visitors have been venturing further afield to shop and pay their bills together.

But traders hope the installation of a new PayPoint in the Nisa supermarket will draw business back to Quarry Bank, as shoppers can pay their fuel and water bills, rent and council tax at the new facility.

Quarry Bank councillor Bryan Cotterill said: “It will benefit the people of Quarry Bank enormously. I’m delighted it’s in - hopefully it will help with the regeneration of the High Street and keep the people local.

“They can just go in and pay all kinds of bills there as they did at the estate office.”

Hardip Takhar, director of the Nisa store, said: “A lot of residents especially the elderly were going to Brierley Hill or Cradley Heath to pay their bills. It’s been quiet for the last few months, but now we have this facility hopefully we’ll get people using Quarry Bank again.”

Trader - Donna Evans-Hadley, who runs Mary’s Fashions, added: “It’s brilliant. Everyone’s just so pleased.

“It’s the best thing we could have had.”