Update on three Walsall markets as council tries to save £60k
Several comments were made about Walsall, Willenhall and Bloxwich markets, which operated at an overall loss of £106,000 for the year 2025/26.
Reform UK in Walsall has committed to doing their ‘very best’ to achieve ‘better town centre markets in the future’.
The comment was made by deputy leader and portfolio holder for regeneration, Councillor Nicky Barker, as the three markets run by Walsall Council were debated at a scrutiny committee meeting on September 8.
Several comments were made about Walsall, Willenhall and Bloxwich markets, which operated at an overall loss of £106,000 for the year 2025/26.
In an initial bid to save up to £60,000, many changes are currently underway for the events.
At the scrutiny meeting, Councillor Simran Cheema, Labour councillor for Willenhall, described the proposed changes for Willenhall as ‘papering over the cracks’ and said they ‘don’t go far enough’.
In Willenhall, planning permission was approved to install 12 permanent stalls at Market Place and for any further stall holders to use pop-up gazebos.
Stall holders have so far had tables included in their rent fee, but the new changes mean that they will now have to supply their own.
Councillor Cheema said she was concerned that the change would result in losing traders ‘over something as simple as tables’.
Stuart Webb, group manager for leisure, bereavement and commercial services, said while the tables will no longer be included in the fee the council will now supply roofs where previously it wasn’t included.
He added that he was aware of only one trader who has a problem with the supply of tables.
Councillor Cheema also raised the issue of how difficult it is for new stall holders to get into the market, the social media page for Willenhall Market – which the council has posted on six times this year, and parking permits for stall holders.
She said the existing parking situation means traders have to leave their market stalls midway through the day to have to pay for further parking.
Councillors at the scrutiny committee meeting recommended further promotion of Willenhall and Walsall markets, in line with Bloxwich, further engagement with traders about their concerns over the proposed changes, and to explore funding opportunities for events at all three markets, as well as in Brownhills and Aldridge.
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