Sadness but no shock over closure of Brierley Hill's Concord Market
Traders inside Brierley Hill's Concord Market say they are saddened, but not surprised, by the announcement the long-standing market is to close at the end of this month.
The last few remaining traders in the market said it was once so bustling they struggled to get a spot and footfall on a Saturday was heaving.
However, today the aged floor tiles are the feature due to the lack of shoppers walking on them.
Owner Shane Birch-Bastock has said the market, set up by his father Sam Bastock more than 40 years ago, will close on June 29.
He blamed dwindling trade and an exit of stall-holders, including four who handed their notice in last month, for the demise of the market, which has ended up costing him £2,000 a month.
He wants to help the remaining seven traders find new premises in the town, or relocate to his firm Pentax Development's other market in Sedgley.
But for traders like Jit Singh, the end of the market marks the end of his presence on the district's streets.
Instead Mr Singh, who opened Jean Scene in the market 38 years ago, will run his business solely online, using a warehouse in Wolverhampton.
He said: "I have mixed feelings – on the one hand I feel grateful for all the help the owners have given me over they years, but then I feel a bit bitter because of the lack of notice.
"We were told on Tuesday, giving us only 14 working days to sort out and clear the stock – I have £100,000 worth of clothing."
He added: "It is a big blow moving out of the town.
"I have a very good group of customers who appreciate the personal touch – without us here, that will be gone."
Jason Brown, who runs Cobblers in the market, says he will look to relocate within the town.
The shoe repair shop has been in the market for 27 years, taken over by Mr Brown from Denis Evans two years ago.
Mr Brown said: "I'm trying to relocate to The Old Market in the town.
"There is no other shoe repair shop in Brierley Hill, we have an exclusivity here and we want to stay. Customers know where we are and come to us, but in recent times there has been a drop in diversity of traders here and that has led to a drop in passing trade.
"Times are tough, but we have to look forward."
