Shoppers are being invited to share their views on how they feel about returning to Dudley borough’s town centres.

When visiting Brierley Hill, Dudley, Halesowen or Stourbridge, shoppers should look out for signs on benches, bollards, lampposts and planters with text numbers and QR codes allowing them to have an interactive conversation.

The conversation is anonymous but will allow the council to find out how shoppers feel when visiting town centres now restrictions have eased and how often they shop on their local high street.

The new initiative has been partly funded by the ERDF Reopening the High Streets Fund which was awarded to the council to spend on specific activity including Covid-19 signage in the town centres, temporary improvements to social distancing measures and consultations with residents.

The innovative technology hosted by technology firm, Hello Lamp Post, ‘brings to life’ everyday objects in the town centres, and is an accessible way for residents and shoppers to engage in important conversations. Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise said:

"It’s important for us to understand how people are feeling about being out and about again, so we can ensure people feel safe in our town centres. It’s been a really tough time for our businesses, and we want to continue encouraging people to shop locally and support the economy.

"That’s why we’re using new ways of communicating with visitors to the town so we can learn what more we can do to make shopping local an even better experience."

To find out more about the initiative, visit dudleybusinessfirst.org.uk/initiatives or look out for the signs in Brierley Hill, Dudley, Halesowen and Stourbridge.