Countdown begins to £6.7m Dudley market revamp

From Monday, Castle Street and New Street will be closed as the project gets under way.

But traders in the town centre have joined forces to remind shoppers they remain 'open for business' while the work takes place.

The first phase of work will cover Castle Street from the Earl of Dudley statue to the junction of New Street

It includes the laying of new stonework, which will also be incorporated in the market place later in the development, and work will be completed at the end of May.

The Earl of Dudley statue will be reset within a raised law and an artist impression has been released by the council giving a glimpse of what it will look like once work is completed.

Contractors will then move onto phase two, which is the market place itself. This phase of the project will start in May as the Castle Street works come to an end.

The new-look market will have 74 stalls, new paving and feature lighting.

The project will also involve the relocation of the public toilets to allow the repositioning of the Duncan Edwards statue.

The historic fountain will also be fully restored.

Castle Street and New Street will remain shut until the end of May.

Councillor Judy Foster, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "While road closures for Castle Street and New Street are absolutely necessary in the interests of public safety, it is important for people to know that they can still access the market stalls, shops and businesses by foot and that the town centre is very much open for business and this includes Dudley bus station. There is plenty of on street parking which will accommodate those people who want to nip into town quickly and for those who wish to stay a little longer, there are several long stay car parks on the edge of town. I hope Dudley's loyal shoppers continue to use their favourite shops and stalls."