A COUNCILLOR has called for a more bustling nightlife scene in Halesowen as people are asked to come up with ideas on how to breathe new life into the town.

Councillor Ray Burston said he wants to see more restaurants and a night club in Halesowen to stop it becoming a ghost town in the evening.

Cllr Burston, who is chairman of Halesowen Area Committee, was speaking after Dudley Council began its public consultation on preferred options for the Halesowen Area Action Plan, which will guide development until 2026.

The Hayley Green and Cradley South ward councillor said: “A problem with Halesowen is it used to be dead after 6pm - it’s a bit better now, but it has got a way to go.

“Restaurants and a club opening up would get people moving through the town at night.”

But cllr Burston said he would not want to see “the worst excesses of Stourbridge” which has a string of bars and clubs, brought to Halesowen.

Cllr Burston also called for “quality shopping” in Halesowen saying he would like to see a store of the “calibre” of Marks and Spencer or Debenhams open.

He said: “That would put us on the map.”

The consultation, which runs until February 20, will ask residents, visitors, businesses and other organisations to comment on what development they want to see, what public spaces should be considered and how else the town centre can be improved.

Council officers will be at the Cornbow Shopping Centre on Wednesday February 1 to seek views from shoppers.

For details visit www.dudley.gov.uk (then click on environment and planning, planning, and local development framework).

Comments can be sent to the planning policy section, Dudley Council, 3 St James’s Road, Dudley DY1 1HZ, by calling 01384 814173 or on email to david.piper@dudley.gov.uk