Petition set up as wholesale market faces closure

This computer generated image has previously been released of how a development in Hickman Avenue could look

A petition has been launched after Wolverhampton's wholesale market traders were told of its potential closure.

The traders, who store their products there for public sale elsewhere, were initially promised new premises as part of the Brewers Yard regeneration master plan.

However, they were called to a meeting at short notice last week, when they were told of the possible closure, leaving their livelihoods at risk.

The council said it was working with private businesses to see how it could best support them, including opportunities for suitable alternative premises.

In the petition, Plant Market owner Sean Thomas called for new premises to be provided if the closure was inevitable.

A new market was included in original plans for the Brewers Yard regeneration, which included demolition of the current Hickman Avenue wholesale market to make way for a new building.

If it had gone ahead it would house the new market as well as Wolverhampton City Council’s fleet services operation.

Traders were shocked by the news the market redevelopment could be scrapped from plans, a decision subject to cabinet approval.

Plant Market owner Sean Thomas has called for alternative market premises if the closure was inevitable

In the petition, Mr Thomas wrote: "Understandably, expansion and growth are always desired within a city, but not at the expense of the small business community’s sustainability.

"We, therefore, call upon the local council to halt any plans for the indefinite closure of our beloved wholesale market."

The market is home to five businesses, including Flower Market Ltd, Marsh’s Potatoes, Dole UK Wholesale and John Leason Ltd.

City council leader Stephen Simkins said original proposals to include a new wholesale market for private businesses, would cost the authority and taxpayer £6m, "on top of a £160,000 a year council subsidy in running costs".

He said the authority was facing "significant financial challenges" and had to make "some really difficult decisions".

Mr Simkins added the market was "effectively a warehouse for the storage of food and flowers for private businesses – not a market open to the public".

Plans for constructing facilities for delivering statutory council services allowed "them to be run more efficiently," he said.

Plans have been announced for a new facility that would house the council’s fleet services operation

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.