Walsall borough markets review planned to find savings
The running of three Walsall borough markets will be reviewed in an effort to save the cash-strapped council money.
Walsall Council chiefs have revealed they will ‘investigate an alternative delivery mechanism’ for markets in the town centre, Bloxwich and Willenhall.
Shoppers will be asked how important they feel the markets are to the borough, but there is no suggestion any could be scrapped.
The council is desperate to save money after it emerged the authority needs to make £20 million worth of cuts in the next financial year.
Markets have been running in Walsall for around 800 years.
It comes after it was revealed earlier this month plans for a new market in Walsall were put on hold.
Walsall Council’s finances were brought to Theresa May’s attention at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday by Jeremy Corbyn, who insisted local authorities needed more support from the Government.
Bosses are aiming to save nearly £40,000 from restructuring the running of the markets over the next two years.
A new report said: “A full review of options for alternative service delivery models will take place between January and September 2019, with implementation from April 2020.
“The review will determine the value of markets within the community and their place in the town centre masterplan, changes in the way people perceive town centres, shopping and the technological age with impacts such as internet shopping.
“Any review of the service would include the market traders.”
