City seeing growth success despite 'fragmentation'

Wolverhampton's economy is enjoying success despite "fragmentation" in the region's growth strategy, councillors are set to be told.

A meeting on Wednesday will be updated on the latest efforts to boost the city's economy.

The Good Growth Strategy was published in 2024 with the aim of regenerating neighbourhoods and increasing output.

It notes that in the last decade, Wolverhampton has seen the introduction of the £1bn i54 business park and a £150m interchange transport hub among other projects.

But in November, regional bosses on the West Midlands Combined Authority agreed a new approach to organising who was responsible for certain aspects of economic growth.

"Currently, there is significant duplication, overlap and fragmentation in how the region delivers its economic functions," councillors will be told.

The meeting will also look at how to generate greater footfall to city events, an area that has also seen rapid growth.

Wolverhampton attracted more than 10m visitors in 2023, a council report stated, an increase of 200k visitors from 2022.

It meant full-time equivalent jobs supported by direct and indirect tourism rose by 5.6%, from 4,310 to 4,553.

A £48m revamp of Wolverhampton Civic Hall has attracted star names such as Bob Dylan, attracting thousands of visitors.

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