Plea to shoppers as huge market rebuild starts

Nick Brown said it had been a challenging time for him in the indoor market in Bilston

Market traders in part of Wolverhampton are urging locals to keep using them, as work begins to redevelop a 200-year-old market.

Bilston's outdoor market relocated to Bert Turner Boulevard, High Street and Church Street in October, to make way for the works.

At the same time, the indoor market remained in the same place and traders claim they have lost footfall due to the other market moving.

The authority said it had frozen rent for traders and would be holding events to attract people to the area.

Nick Brown, who runs Electrical Discount in the indoor market, said: "It's quite challenging. We have asked the council for some short-term help but that was declined."

The work on the market changes are due to finish in 2026

Work on the £5.2m scheme will see existing structures demolished and the market's entrance at its original site improved.

Traders hope that, once the work is done, business will be "better than ever".

"I think people's turnovers have decreased in here but I want to say it's still a tremendous market," Mr Brown said.

"Keep coming because we love to see you and we need to see you."

For some outdoor traders, the temporary move has been a positive.

Sarah Logie runs a clothing stall, which moved from the outdoor market site to the high street.

"For me, I like it a lot. I feel here, even though we were great on the other market, I've got new customers," Ms Logie said.

"Because a lot of people didn't come into the other market, so we've kind of got both of them now.

"So actually this has been good for me."

Sarah Logie said moving her clothing stall from the outdoor market to the high street had led to new customers for her

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal told the BBC: "We care about our traders. We are going to put together a package for our traders.

"There is a £15,000 grant that we have secured, where we are going to hold events here that will attract people into the market.

"We've actually frozen rents as well, so there will be no rent increase."

The redevelopment will see the creation of a flexible, multi-use events and market space, along with new car parking and taxi drop-off spaces, new retail units and public toilets.

The plans also include a new canopy to cover outdoor stalls and a retail unit.

The scheme is due to finish in June 2026.