Rates blamed as Cradley Heath market closes after 40 years
Cradley Heath market has closed down after more than 40 years after a decrease in traders.
It comes after the market was left with just one stall holder after traders abandoned the place, moving into nearby shop units.
Oyster Properties say they are now in talks with big retailers Asda and Lidl over the future of the market.
Concerns were raised earlier this year about falling footfall at the 40-capacity market hall, despite a five-figure investment by the property group.
A spokesman for Oyster said: "The last year and a half we have been trying to revive the market and get it back to where it should be but we either did not have the right people coming in or they were just not coming at all.
"It was not very sustainable as the biggest kill was the rates.
"Unfortunately it has not survived but are keen to look to the future and get someone in the space."
Around six stalls have now moved into the shop units attached to the market hall, also owned by Oyster, including former pet food, flowers and giftware stalls.
The spokesman continued: "Since it has been empty we have spoken to a few large retail companies who could bring more footfall into Cradley by taking over the old space.
"These include names such as Home Bargains, Asda and Lidl. Our focus is to look for the right person to go into there now.
"What is extremely positive is the fact that it has created an entrepreneurship in the town as the adjoining shop units that some holders have moved into are doing very well.
"We want to see the whole of Cradley regenerated in a similar way."
Gary Link, who had previously worked on the fish counter in the market, said the end of the market was incredibly sad.
"It was expected that it was going to happen as there was just one trader left in the end as most had moved on or moved into the shop units," Mr Link said.
"Nevertheless I was still shocked as it used to be thriving and it was really sad to see it deteriorate. There have been rumours that it may be knocked down now or just have a big store take it over."
The Central Market Hall on High Street is still open to shoppers.
The market had originally feared closure in 2014 having been placed in receivership, but it was bought out in time with plans for a revamp of the site promised.
