Charges for stallholders at Walsall’s historic market will go up when it is moved to a new patch in the town later on this year, and some traders will have to pay almost double.
Some will see rents rise from £16 to £30 per day – while other traders will see their rent reduced. Saturday fees will go up from £35.80 to £40, with Tuesday and Fridays increasing from £30.75 to £35. The new set of charges mark a shift in policy from the previous ‘bidding’ system that meant some stallholders would pay up to £100 for prime locations.
Some traders today criticised the hikes, saying the economic situation was bad enough without the added financial burden, although others said the new system was much fairer.
Sean King, who runs a fruit and veg stall at the market, said: “We don’t think we should have to pay extra when we didn’t all want to move.
“Things are hard enough with the price of everything else going up anyway, so this is the last thing we need.”
But Karen Sands, Chairwoman of Walsall Market Traders Association, said the changes were good news.
“I think most of us are happy with them at the moment, although we’re hoping for a reduction to the Wednesday rates,” she said.
“More people pass through The Bridge than where the market is at the moment, so I’m sure people will see business pick up after the move.
“I think it’s a much better location and that the new charging system is much fairer.”
It was revealed earlier this week the market will move from its 788-year-old Walsall town centre location to The Bridge by the start of October
Mark Lavender, Walsall Council head of strategic regeneration said the review made things clearer for traders.
“The Wednesday daily markets rate will rise to £30 per day per stall, but this, together with Monday, is the cheapest day of the week.
“We feel that our proposed rates will represent excellent value for money.”
One Comment
I was at one of the stalls when the reporter was asking the questions. I couldnt help overhearing but I heard the stall holder say that it was one more increase that he could have done without paying for, due to petrol, gas, electric and the overall cost of living.
I asked when the market would be moving and the stall holder said all he knew was in the autumn. He said he was quite keen to get down there and give it a shot as it couldnt be any worse down there than up the top of the market.