The link is the open space connecting WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams Leisure Centre and wider Urban Village development to Bilston town centre and includes a section of Bert Turner Boulevard.

The last round of consultation saw the public give their views on different themes, including ideas like an arts space, performance stage or food & drink area.

The three most popular themes have now been shortlisted for the community to have its say.

A council team will have a stand, near the Horse and Jockey pub, at Biston Christmas lights switch-on on Friday to gather feedback both in the town centre and online. They will be joined by Elton John Tribute act, Ultimate Elton, who will switch the lights on with the Mayor of Wolverhampton Cllr Linda Leach, and Santa.

Ultimate Elton will be available for requests and selfies while visitors view the Bilston High Street Link storyboards and provide their valuable opinions.

The Bilston High Street Link works form part of the transformative Bilston Health & Regeneration Programme (HaRP), supported by Government funding.

Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Skills and Jobs, said: “Bilston Christmas light switch-on is a popular event that attracts thousands of local people. It’s an ideal opportunity to invite people to give their feedback about another exciting development to improve the environment in Bilston.

“We hope to reach hundreds of people with an opportunity to have their say either on the night or via our online survey that will take just ten minutes to complete.

“Residents’ opinions are important in shaping the environment and facilities across Bilston, so we hope everyone takes the opportunity to get involved. We are particularly interested in what young people would like to see the area used for.”

Amy Whitehouse, Bilston Business Improvement District Manager, said: “We are very pleased that City of Wolverhampton Council has chosen this magical event to talk to residents across Bilston. They’ll be close to Santa’s Grotto and the Christmas Tree, so they are easy to find.

“Bilston Christmas Lights switch-on is always a fun event that draws a crowd with entertainment and a great opportunity to get Christmas shopping underway from the market stalls to retailers, all offering unique, great value products.”

Bilston High Street Link is temporarily occupied by market traders during market hours, while Bilston outdoor market undergoes major redevelopment.

Once the traders have returned to the new-look outdoor market, plans for the High Street Link, based on residents’ feedback, will get underway.

The survey will open at 4.40pm on Friday, November 22 and closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.