Just a handful of traders have turned up to sell their wares at Wednesbury Market’s new pitch over the last week - prompting fears for the future of the once-popular spot.
There were fewer than 20 market stalls running yesterday and only four today, traditionally one of its busiest days. Last Friday just two traders set up their stalls.
The site can house around 70 at full capacity.
The new pitch in Union Street replaced the indoor market in The Shambles in August but stallholders are reporting mixed fortunes.
Some say the new location has helped attract passers by and a new generation of customer while others feel their buyers have taken their custom to the new Morrisons supermarket which has underground parking.
Fruit and vegetables trader Irene Mills-Keeling, aged 63, insisted trade had fallen.
She said: “There are not enough people in Wednesbury using the market.”
Her husband John, 64, has worked on market stalls since the age of nine, and said he thought many Black Country markets were feeling the pinch.
He said: “It’s improved since the move because we are no longer so isolated. It’s the same story everywhere though, West Bromwich Market has problems too.”
By 1.30pm this afternoon of the four traders there, one decided to pack up her toys and games stall early.
The trader, who refused to be named, also said she wouldn’t be coming back next week. She said: “It’s been a waste of time, it’s always rubbish lately. But I was shocked myself when I came this morning.”
Another trader, who asked not to be named, said: “People take one look and think it’s empty so don’t bother.”
Wednesbury Councillor Elaine Costigan said: “It’s a real shame. Due to the cold weather it seems on Fridays and Saturdays traders are not turning up. I will be speaking to the council as something needs to be done.”
3 Comments
the big stores are killing off the shop trade soon we’ll all be bar coded,it’s a real pitty because it’s great christmas time shopping at the markets and little independent shops you get real service not some snotty nosed kid trying to show you how the microwave works,but they say it’s progress well we’ll see.
The days of the market have gone im afraid! Hurry up and bulldoze the ugly “new” market and put the new petrol station on there. Markets as with the small shops are dead nowadays, so the Morrisons is good news for the town plus the good products on offer!
I was shocked when I saw what little there is of Wednesbury market, I do go and buy my fruit and veg almost every weekend and refuse to use Morrisons as it’s going to totally cripple local traders. I remember Wednesbury Market as a child and it was great, it’s very sad to see it come to this. Why don’t the council do more, offer pitches for free perhaps may get the sellers in, I hope so, I for one will be sorry to see it go.