Wolverhampton market moving to old Netto site in city

Traders will relocate from Market Square to a new home in Cleveland Street on the site formerly used by Netto and a furniture store.

It will pave the way for a £55 million regeneration scheme set to dramatically transform the western part of the city centre.

The Westside scheme includes a multi-screen cinema, restaurants, bars, hotel, multi-storey car park, apartments and public open space.

Members of Wolverhampton council's cabinet are set to approve the market relocation next Wednesday. It will move a few hundred yards to a site currently used for car parking.

Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment, said: "The council is proud to have a legally-binding Royal Charter, which commits us to holding a weekly market in the city centre.

"Relocating the market to Southside will not only pave the way for a first-class leisure development on Westside, it will also allow the market to thrive in a new, prominent location. The feedback we have had from initial discussions with the market traders has been positive.

"The merging of the indoor and outdoor markets last year enhanced the customer experience. This will help with the transition to Southside and an on-going programme put in place to develop the market. It will prove an asset to the city centre."

The new market on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday will front onto Cleveland Street, opposite the Wulfrun Shopping Centre, which it is hoped will boost the numbers of shoppers. The old Netto store and adjoining buildings were demolished last year.

The move will see 48 tented stalls and 16 purpose-built cabins transfer from Market Square and it is anticipated the move will be completed towards the end of this year, but not during the Christmas period.

Bosses expect a boost from the proximity to the bus and rail stations, as well the high numbers of students in the Southside area.

Market traders' representative Dud Malik said: "The new site is in a much better location for traders, nearer the transport links and the Mander Centre.

"We're looking forward to a fresh start and additional footfall."

A temporary market has been in place since April when the indoor traders joined the outdoor traders in Market Square to enable the demolition of the old indoor market.