Walsall markets facing major changes after six-figure losses - public meeting this week

Councillors are set to debate three markets managed by Walsall Council at a public meeting this week. 

Willenhall and Bloxwich markets ran at a total loss of £126,682 for the financial year of 2025/26. 

In Walsall town centre, the market resulted in a profit of £20,069 for the same period. 

Last year Walsall Council shared the results of a £22,090 review into the three markets and proposed several changes to make them more economically viable. 

The most recent updates for incoming changes to the markets will be discussed at a meeting of the regeneration, street scene and communities scrutiny committee on September 8. 

Willenhall Market 

When the Local Democracy Reporting Service last spoke to traders at Willenhall Market, they opposed the proposed changes to the town’s tri-weekly event. 

The consultant company that carried out the review had suggested for the council to invest in new pop-up stalls with Walsall Council branding, rather than the existing practice of paying a company to supply, erect, and dismantle market stalls. 

With some of the traders arriving as early as 3.30am, the traders questioned who will staff a proposed new kiosk where the gazebos will be stored.

They also had concerns about traders working alone putting them up in the dark, the anchor points on the ground being filled with grime, and the length of time it already takes to set up the stall without having to put the gazebos up too.

In the latest report published by Walsall Council, the authority said it met with Willenhall traders in February after conducting further designs and layout proposals. The council said feedback from traders was ‘positive’. 

The final layout design includes 12 permanent stalls, which was granted planning permission earlier this year, and further council-branded pop-up stalls.

There will be three temporary vehicle barriers in use on market days. The total cost to implement the changes is expected to be £365,000, paid for by Community Regeneration Partnership funding. 

In the year 2025/26, Willenhall Market ran at a loss of £93,552, making it the biggest financial burden out of the three markets managed by Walsall Council. 

The latest breakdown cost data available from 2023/34 states that the council spent £177,030 on ‘staffing costs’ alone for the three markets that year – £59,010 per market. 

Willenhall traders in March last year said they were ‘unsure’ what the staffing costs paid for and reported ‘poor management, no promotion of the event and said it was very difficult for new traders to get onto the market’.

Walsall Council later confirmed that the staffing costs covered ‘two dedicated officers’ and waste collection services for the markets. 

Following the traders’ criticism, Walsall Council launched a Facebook group to advertise the Willenhall event. 

Walsall Market 

While Walsall Market ran at a £20,069 profit for the year 2025/26, the income was less than half of 2024/25 and just two thirds of the profit for the previous year. 

Changes to Walsall Market will coincide with the major regeneration plans currently underway in the rest of the town.

The proposals outlined a combined indoor and outdoor market offer. The outdoor market would have fixed open kiosks for day trading that can also be used for alfresco dining. 

It also plans to create a performance stage in Market Square and a large screen for sporting or cultural events. 

The indoor market could include a bar and stage, between four and six kitchens and communal eating areas. 

It is expected that the outdoor offer would cost £1.5million and the indoor offer around £3million, excluding the purchase of suitable retail units. 

The council forecasts up to £500,000 yearly profit within five years of opening the new indoor and outdoor markets. 

Bloxwich Market 

The market review recommended including additional weather protections to the existing static market stalls in Bloxwich and better signage from the High Street. 

The latest report says the above has been implemented at Bloxwich Market, along with new lighting on the stalls and the repainting of street furniture. 

The works have cost £90,000 in total, paid for by the West Midlands Combined Authority and Community Regeneration Partnership funding. 

In the report, the council also announced that a new small team of market operatives, led by a market operative leader, is being created to set up and take down stalls, empty bins, and ‘become an important part of the improved customer care given to traders’. 

It added that savings will be generated by no longer paying Bescot Promotions for stall supply, set up and take down, and by reducing staffing costs by eliminating agency fees for the trade waste workers. 

The new staffing costs of the Market Operative team is set to be £84,982. 

Members of the regeneration, street scene and communities scrutiny committee will meet on September 8 to debate the plans.