East Park ward councillors campaigned hard on behalf of the traders and made representation to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which resulted in a series of recommendations.
The scheme is aimed at affected businesses directly fronting Bilston Road between the Royal tram stop and Stow Heath Lane (including Chillington Street and Landport Road), who were trading for more than a year before the tram construction works started in June 2017 and have an annual turnover of less than £500,000.
Businesses must also have been trading between 1 July and 22 December, 2017, to be eligible.
Independent assessor, RSM UK Tax and Accounting Ltd, has been appointed to act impartially to assess claims - and their decision will be final.
Councillor Harman Banger, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy and East Park ward councillor, said: “We have worked hard with the traders to make the case for compensation for the impact on their businesses over the six months of the works.
“Many of these businesses experienced difficult times and have done well to survive – demonstrating the fantastic entrepreneurial spirit of our small to medium enterprises in the City of Wolverhampton.
“I am delighted we have been able to deliver a package that will come as a very welcome boost to the Bilston Road businesses.”
City of Wolverhampton Council has contacted all Bilston Road businesses to make them aware of the compensation process.
To check on eligibility businesses can visit Bilston Road Business Support.
Image: (l-r) Bilston Road Action Group (BRAG) Members Amo Singh, NES Wolesalers, Jag Singh, Wilson Wholesalers, Ian Alici, Jeans Cafe, and Amardeep Singh, NES Wholesalers, with Councillor Anwen Muston, Councillor Paul Singh, Councillor Keith Inston, Rakesh Ladher, Red Lion Landlord and BRAG Secretary, Sunil Kanda, tintcenters.com and BRAG member, and Councillor Harman Banger
