Traders fear worst as indoor market shuts

An indoor market in Willenhall town centre has closed suddenly – leaving traders unsure of their future. The Mall in Union Street has been open for decades.

Its demise was today described as "another blow" to the struggling town centre. The building, which is owned by Worcester-based Paylet Ltd, was showing no signs of life today. Willenhall councillor Sean Coughlan said the loss of The Mall was the last thing the town needed.

"Most people have grown up with the mall being there," Councillor Coughlan said. "We need an indoor market in Willenhall, it is a focal point for the town and creates a different type of trade."

The Mall was once a bustling building, boasting a wide variety of stalls such as butchers, fruit and veg and confectionery. However, like so many other markets around the Black Country, it has been in decline in recent years.