Hundreds of new jobs have been created as part of an initiative to boost employment and business opportunities in Dudley borough.

In 2017 Dudley Council launched DY5, Dudley’s business and innovation enterprise zone to rejuvenate the Waterfront office complex at Merry Hill and create additional office, technology and industrial space in the surrounding areas of Brierley Hill, Harts Hill and Pensnett.

In the space of two years, 26 businesses have already taken up residency within the zone, 610 new jobs have been created, with five hectares of land developed and nearly 6,000sqm of existing floor space refurbished. All of the businesses have either expanded, relocated or are brand new and represent a range of sectors, including retail, office and industrial. Councillor Qadar Zada, leader of Dudley Council, said:

"This is what DY5 is all about, encouraging growth within our economy, developing confidence in doing business here and creating hundreds and eventually thousands of new jobs.

"In the two years since it launched, the zone has delivered real change and positioned itself as the place to do business. Twenty six companies have already seen the value in joining us and I am confident this is only the start.”

The zone aims to become the high tech office hub of the Black Country’s industry, connecting advanced manufacturing to industrial sites via the new Metro link to Birmingham. It is looking at how manufacturing and technology in the region can help deliver new business, as well as broaden the region’s digital and professional base into existing manufacturing technology.

DY5 can offer businesses up to £55,000 business rate relief every year, for five years as well as superfast broadband, a central location with good transport links, streamlined local authority planning and excellent value for money.

Within 25 years it aims to deliver thousands of new jobs, see the creation of 300 new businesses, the reoccupation of 18,000sqm of vacant office space and the creation of up to 110,000sqm of new office space, 36,000sqm of new technology space and 65,000sqm of new industrial space.