Dudley stallholders to get 30pc rent discount

Market stallholders have been offered a 30 per cent rent discount after they reported a drop in trade since the start of a multi-million pound town centre transformation project.

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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.