Town sets out its stall for specialist markets

More specialist markets are being planned in a Black Country town centre this year following the success of its Italian-themed event.

Council chiefs in Walsall are in talks over holding more continental market days in a bid to encourage more shoppers to the heart of the borough. The Italian theme with stalls selling a range of food from breads, pasta, olives and cake was staged in Park Street just before Christmas and proved a success. The likes of farmer's markets are already held in other areas.

This includes in Wolverhampton along Dudley Street on the first Friday of every month.

Farmers markets in Stafford are held on the second Saturday of every month, with the exception of January. They are also held in Halesowen on alternate Saturdays throughout the year and one is held at Market Place in Cannock on the third Friday of the month.

The success elsewhere has around the Black Country and Staffordshire has seen traders in Walsall call for alternative markets to be held.

Walsall regeneration chief councillor Adrian Andrew said: "We're looking to introduce theme markets for Walsall this year."

The main market is held around the The Bridge on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The continental ones could be held on Thursdays or link in on the same day as Walsall Market.

The historic market with 100 stalls was granted planning permission to stay at its current site for another 18 months last autumn.

It is anticipated to move to a more permanent position elsewhere under regeneration plans including the multi-million pound overhaul of the Old Square Shopping Centre.

Fears have been voiced that the market will be split in two, and traders will lose income, as some stalls will have to move during the work. It has prompted the Walsall Market

Traders Association to call for work to be halted during peak tra-ding times of 10am and 3pm. Talks are now on-going.