Fears for Black Country market as it runs at a loss of £90k
A petition to revive a tri-weekly Black Country market will be presented at a council meeting next week.
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Uncertainty around the town’s tri-weekly market came after the council proposed a review of the Bloxwich, Willenhall, and Walsall markets for the 2025/26 budget.
The review will examine ways to streamline costs for all three markets and, hopefully, lead to a total annual savings of £60,000.
While no formal decisions have been made, the council says doing nothing is not a viable option.
Out of the three markets, Willenhall is the biggest financial burden.
The council forks out £59,010 on staffing alone on Willenhall.
The next biggest expense for the market is management fees and private contractor fees, which tots up to £53,050.
Rents and rates cost the council just over £5k, and with an income of just £28k from Willenhall market, it creates a loss for the council of nearly £90k per year.
In November, councillors in Willenhall South called on Walsall Council to revive the town’s market.
Councillor Simran Cheema is the lead petitioner with councillor Natalie Latham and councillor Klara Margetts supporting the campaign.
The petition calls for more ‘innovative thinking’ around the market and urges the council to consult with residents to form a ‘dynamic’ market strategy.
Councillor Simran Cheema said: “Willenhall has always been a traditional market town but it’s been neglected once again.
“Shopping habits have changed, a lot of people shop online and they don’t use local amenities.
“The council’s approach should change as well.”
The current recommendation by the council is to invest in new pop-up stalls with Walsall Council branding, rather than the current practice of paying a company to supply, erect, and dismantle market stalls.
Traders would collect their stalls in the morning and self-erect and dismantle at the end of the trading day.
A new kiosk would be installed in the town centre to act as storage for the pop-up stalls and to be used as a market coffee shop.
It is estimated that it will cost £104k in capital investment to implement the above changes.
The topic will be heard at the economy and environment overview and scrutiny committee on February 24, at 6pm.
