Walsall market move halted by row

The planned relocation of Walsall's historic market collapsed amid a furious legal battle between shopping centre owners and council bosses.

Council chiefs reckony plans to move this month have stalled due to a legal challenge by the owners of the Old Square Shopping Centre, which neighbours the market's home of 788 years.

Stallholders were preparing to move from Digbeth Square to the Bridge by the end of this month, in time for the traditional festive rush.

But Old Square owners, Threadneedle, refused to drop objections and lawyers have told the council it could lose a legal battle.

Threadneedle believe that the move would hit shopping centre trade, but Walsall regeneration boss Councillor Adrian Andrew has labelled the firm "Scrooges".

Councillor Andrew also insisted the market would still move to its new spot.

He said: "This is a decision that has been made through a democratic process, but has been stopped by a private company acting in its own interests

"We are very angry, because this is something we were doing to help the traders and the shoppers of Walsall. Even at this stage, I would appeal to Threadneedle to get a bit of Christmas spirit and think of the traders. The word Scrooge comes to mind."

A Threadneedle spokeswoman said: "As a major stakeholder in Walsall town centre, our primary responsibilities are to shop owners in the Old Square and their customers as well as safeguarding the prosperity of the town.

"Any action that we take is with this responsibility firmly front of mind."