Dudley stallholders to get 30pc rent discount

Council bosses have agreed a reduction while work revamping the Dudley Market Place in High Street and Castle Street takes place.

The first phase of the £6.7 million scheme began in January which saw the closure of Castle Street and New Street.

Traders say since then the number of visitors to the market has fallen by up to 40 per cent. Len Lenihan, chairman of Dudley Market Traders Association, said he was pleased with the 30 per cent rent reduction which will be backdated to the start of the year when work began.

"It has caused a lot of disruption and the footfall on the market has worsened. A lot of traders have been struggling because their takings are down.

"This reduction will help them a lot. It's only a few pounds each week but over the course of the work it will help them. We are pleased that the council has listened to our concerns and made us this offer."

Deb Brownlee from St John's Preservation Group which runs a charity stall said they had also seen a drop in trade as footfall was down. We are down by about 30 to 40 customers a week, who spend an average of £2.

We're glad of any assistance towards the rent, but we are still reviewing our longer term future on the market.

The footflow in the town is diabolical.

John Millar, director of urban environment, said: "We have been working closely with market traders throughout the town centre improvements which will necessitate a temporary relocation during the construction of the new market.

"We have negotiated a reduction in our market rents in order to assist in the market remaining viable throughout the work."