Walsall night markets plan scrapped
Night markets in Walsall have been scrapped for now because they would cause too much disruption amid the town centre redevelopments, council chiefs have revealed.
But bosses say work on the Old Square Shopping Centre and the electrification of the Chase Line through the town centre means they cannot take place. They have said they will look at the idea again next year.
The first night market was held around The Bridge and along Park Street in October 2012 and two more were held in March and July last year. Its success led to it being named the best speciality market of the year for 2013 by the National Association of British Market Authorities.
But council bosses have ruled out any night markets this year, claiming it would not be fair on market traders due to work on the £21 million revamp of Old Square Shopping Centre. Primark and Co-op will have new stores at the centre, creating 150 new jobs by next summer.
More than 25 stallholders at Walsall Market were allocated alternative locations at the start of the year to allow for the start of work and it emerged earlier this month that an extra 20-plus traders face being moved from at the beginning of next year.
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The news has sparked fears that some stallholders could quit the historic market if they are relocated further away from the main shopping site event.
Some stalls also need to move near Park Street because of the electrification of the Chase Line through the town centre.
Walsall's regeneration chief, Councillor Mohammad Nazir, said: "This year, the night markets will not happen.
"It will not be fair on the market traders because of the redevelopment happening in the town centre.
"We have the Primark scheme and the work for the electrification of the train line.
"We will revisit the idea next year."
More than 50 stalls signed up for the first night market two years ago and the number of stallholders almost doubled at the third event in July last year.
The idea was born from a bid to become a pilot town under a government scheme headed by retail guru Mary Portas.
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