Express & Star

Hundreds back Brownhills market petition

Almost 800 people have backed a campaign calling for the return of Brownhills market.

Published

The petition was set up by Councillor Steve Wade who wants to bring back the market in an attempt to galvanize the town's high street.

It is now close to reaching 500 online signatures as well as 300 more which have been collected by hand.

The main market which was held twice a week in Silver Street was scrapped in 2011 after 40 years but it did return for a two-day festive event in December 2014.

Now, Mr Wade is urging the people of Brownhills to get on board the campaign.

He said: "I speak to loads of people in the town who always ask me why we haven't we got a market in the town anymore.

"Recently one has started in Darlaston, one in Willenhall so I decided to try and bring it back to Brownhills.

Brownhills market reopened for a festive event for two days in 2014

"We had one a couple of years ago and that went down very well but it would be great if we could bring it back on a permanent basis."

He insists that the market would not be on scale as before but would take place twice a month rather than twice a week.

"It's in the early stages at the moment but I've spoken to the council about trying to see if we can get some of the land back off Tesco, said councillor Wade.

"I've got about 300 signatures on the petition from people in High Street as well as nearly 500 online but I want to get as many as I an.

If we can get over 1000, put it forward and say this is what the Brownhills people want then great."

Previously, the market has returned to a spot around the Ravenscourt precinct, off High Street, and included a range of crafts, jewellery and hot food.

But Mr Wade would prefer to pitch up the former site on land next to the Tesco in Silver Street.

He added: "It was in Ravenscourt before but its a bit of an eyesore so I'm trying to get some land acquired elsewhere.

"It won't just be for the market it will be for other community events as well. It's all about bringing people in to town and I it would be lovely to have a market right in the centre."

"People used to come from all over Staffordshire and Walsall and it was very popular.

To sign the petition go to www.change.org/p/walsall-council-bring-back-brownhills-market

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.