I visited West Midlands shoppers' paradise - but families say there's a hidden problem

Cannock has become a much-loved venue for shoppers - boasting the West Midlands newest and biggest outlet village. The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet opened three years ago and brings shopping tourists into the town.

However, when we visited the Cannock Chase constituency ahead of the general election residents showed deep concern over business rates and investment. Standing outside a shopping centre, residents voiced their opinions on the general election with some saying more money needs to be invested in town centres.

Dave Bird, 69, said he was concerned about the amount of shops that are closing down in traditional parts of Cannock. He said this had a knock-on effect to the wider community.

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Dave added: ''Its the community that matters to me as a lot of places are closing down. Spend more money on town centres and get more people into the town centre''.

Kenneth Thompson, 76, agreed there was an issue with a lot of local shops closing down. ''There seems to be a lot of local shops closing, so we could do with some more restaurants or cafes,'' he said.

Other residents in the town had different views, Kevin 70, showed deep concern over business rates in the area.

''What we need in here is to drop the rates to get the shops back to get the people spending money, without that you will never do any good,'' he said.

The candidates standing in the Cannock Chase consistuency for the 2024 General Election are:

• Labour Party - Josh Newbury

• Conservative and Unionist Party - Amanda Milling

• Liberal Democrats - Lizzie Jewkes

• Reform UK - Paul Allen

• Green Party - Andrea Michelle Muckley