Walsall Market was officially welcomed to its new temporary home in the heart of the town centre today.

Stalls have been relocated from the High Street to The Bridge giving traders some Christmas cheer as they look to attract bumper business.

Stallholders have been settling into their new home over the last week with the move coming a year later than they had anticipated.

A series of activities were taking place in the town centre to mark the grand opening including street entertainment, face painting, fairground stalls and rides along with a free prize draw to win £100 in cash.

Market Traders Association chair Karen Sands said moving from the former pitch of almost 800 years had already proved a success.

She said: “The customers are loving it and there have been no adverse comments, it has been really well received and just makes the town vibrant. Everyone is still settling in but looking forward to a bumper Christmas.”

Stalls had been due to move last year but objections from Threadneedle which owns the Old Square Shopping Centre put this on hold.

A resolution was reached and planning permission received this autumn to reposition to the location.

Traders are eventually due to move nearer Lower Hall Lane as part of multi-million pound regeneration plans.

The new market trades from 9am to 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday. However, additional markets are being held on Thursdays in the run-up to Christmas.

Mrs Sands added: “We’ve had the backing of the council which has been really, really good and they have allowed us to move into the town centre.

“It is bringing a vibrancy to the town and once we have settled in I am quite sure it will benefit not just the market, but the local traders as well.”