Markets get £300k to get new traders and shoppers

Bernadette Francis, a new trader selling handmade goods in Wolverhampton, said she felt the funding was about getting people together in markets

Up to £300,000 is being made available for markets in the West Midlands to attract new traders and support town centres.

The funding package, announced by the region's mayor, is for local councils to expand the variety of stalls in their markets and come up with new ideas to draw in more shoppers and, he said, "put the buzz back into market days".

Mayor Richard Parker, who confirmed the funding at Wolverhampton Market on Tuesday, added that it was part of plans to revamp the area's high streets and street markets.

There are 20 council-run street markets across the West Midlands and some are reporting vacancy rates of up to 40%.

The money meant councils could offer specialist business advice for current traders and a mentoring scheme for new traders, the mayor's spokesperson said.

Stalls can be offered for free on a short-term basis to new traders, advertising campaigns run and facilities revamped.

Trader Del Lewis said his family had been at the market since the late 1940s

Trader Del Lewis, whose family have been at the market since the late 1940s, said he enjoyed his work but wanted to see new traders start up.

"I'm third generation. It's in my blood. I love the market otherwise I'd jack it in," he said.

"What's needs to happen is basically some funding, some help... especially for new start-ups. That's most important to attract new traders."

Bernadette Francis is one new trader selling handmade goods and supported the announcement.

"It's about bringing together people," she said. "It's about being with people. It's more than just products.

"If my business had developed it means that the market is going to be developed because whatever I get I'm going to put back out into the market."

The money will go to councils to spend on a variety of ways to help traders

Parker made the announcement as part of his West Midlands Growth Plan, launched last month.

"I'm doing this because I know markets are the lifeblood of many of our communities and many of them have suffered over the last few years," he said.