Traders excited for big Wolverhampton Market move - PICTURES and VIDEO
Market traders in Wolverhampton are looking forward to setting out their stalls at their £4.9 million new home in just two weeks time.
After marking the end of an era at Market Square – home to the city’s market since the 1960s – traders are now preparing to open for business at their new pitch in Cleveland Street on July 17.
Once it launches later this month, the new market will feature bigger cabins, event space, CCTV, free WiFi, canopy covered walkways, offices, customer toilets, and parking.
The city council says it is expected to bring an increase in visitors from the Wulfrun Centre and transport Interchange.
But the final day in Market Square was an emotional day for traders and shoppers alike on Saturday. Many have called the Market Square pitch home for decades.
Among them Julie Emery, who is the third generation running JD Produce at Wolverhampton Market.
WATCH: Traders speak about moving to the new market
She said she had been working there since she was a child and was sad to be leaving.
She said: “I have grown up on this market, I have been working on here for 48 years and I am the third generation running the stall – so I am feeling very emotional about the move.
“We are very excited to be moving to the new site, but I am also quite sad to leave.
“The new market is a lot more central and closer to the bus and metro stations. A lot of my customers say it will be better for them because of that.”
Excited
Robin Newby, of Newby and Family Butchers, said: “I have been trading here in Market Square for 13 years – but I am excited for the move.
"I think the market has run its course in this location as it is a bit out of the way of the town, being more central will be great for our trade.”
Richard Latham, of R.A. Latham’s Fruit, said: “I am not happy we have to close for a fortnight, but it is a brilliant new location so I am definitely excited for the move.
“It is a lot closer to the shopping centres and transport links. Our stall has been here since the 1950s – my grandparents and parents ran it before me.”
However despite the general feeling of optimism around the new site some still have some reservations about the move.
Jatinder and Jasminder Grewal, of Grewal Fabrics, said trade hasn’t been the same since they were moved from the indoor market two years ago.
Location
Mr Grewal said: “We have been trading here for 30 years – we started off in the indoor market in 1988 and moved to the outdoor one two years ago. This location hasn’t been good.
“It’s not good when its raining or we have the bad weather in winter.
"We were forced to close for two weeks when it snowed earlier this year and when the rain is coming down, customers just don’t come to the outdoor market.
"With the new market being nearer the centre we will have more trade with people coming from the shopping centres. But we need something indoors.”
A&F Trading boss, Faqir Chand, said: “I have been trading at the market since 1968 and it used to be very good, but it’s coming down and down everyday.
“I don’t know how it will be at the new location – there’s no car park for the customers or traders which will be a problem.”
Transport
Brian Bradley, of Bradley’s Fruit and Vegetables, said: “It remains to be seen what the new location will be like.
"But Market Square has not been a bad location. The new location should have more footfall but there’s a loss of car parking.
"A lot of customers have commented on the parking issues – it’s going to be one of those wait and see situations.”
Shopper William Jackson, from Wednesfield, said: “I am glad of the move because I come on public transport.
"I think it is a better location and I think a lot more people will come and visit.”
However customers Tettenhall couple Nigel and Jenny Tinsley are worried about parking.
Mr Tinsley said: “We don’t think the parking will be as easy at the new location. With our market shopping it can become quite heavy.
"When I buy big sacks of potatoes in the winter they will always trolley them to the car for us, but I doubt they will be able to do that for us at the new market.”
John Smeeton, from Penn, has been visiting the market since he was a young boy when the market was located outside St Peter’s Church.
He said: “I don’t know if this location has been suitable for the market, as it is a bit out of the way.”
The new market will initially be open at the same times as the old market on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
The traders’ leases ended on June 30, 2018 and their new leases start on July 17, 2018 and the council said they won’t be charged for the period in between.
To compensate them for being unable to trade for two weeks the traders have been paying reduced rents – 33 per cent less –since April 1, said the council.
