A NEW town centre manager brought in to boost trade and investment in Kidderminster is vowing to "drive" improvements across the board.

Jackie Roberts has been hired by Wyre Forest District Council to help build links with existing businesses and encourage new traders into the town centre.

She will attend meetings with the Town Centre Partnership - TCP - which represents traders from across the town centre.

Miss Roberts, 36, of Kidderminster, said she would be visiting all business owners for "one-to-one" talks.

The former King Charles I School pupil will be working for the district council two-and-a-half days a week from offices in Weavers Wharf.

She is also employed by the retail development's owners, Henderson Global Investors, as Weavers Wharf shopping centre manager for the remainder of the week.

Miss Roberts, who used to run the town's Matalan, said: "The priority at the moment for Weavers Wharf is the development of Debenhams and then for Wyre Forest.

"We need to look at the cross-section, we need to look at small retailers and how they trade.

"Small retailers will still be included, as I'll be talking to them, one to one, about the state of business."

Her job description includes contributing to planning and helping with a new town centre-focused website.

Another of Miss Roberts's tasks will be filling Kidderminster's empty shops, including the former Littlewoods building in Worcester Street and the former home of Marks and Spencer, in High Street.

Peter Picken, TCP chairman, backed the appointment but said the partnership would remain a voice for retailers.

He added: "We would hope the town will be seen as an attractive proposition for businesses, be they large or small."

Phil Bowden, owner of Bells Domestic Appliances in Blackwell Street, questioned how successful Miss Roberts's arrival would be for the town's independent traders.

He said: "Anything has got to be an improvement but are we saying support the big boys or support local businesses? If you've got a town centre manager based at Weavers Wharf what does that say?"