Market for farmers is in pipeline

A weekly farmers' market could be on its way to Tipton to help revive the town's flagging fortunes and draw in more visitors.

Developers spearheading the regeneration of Tipton Shopping Centre hope a market could entice shoppers and businesses into the ailing town centre. Bosses from CALA Properties, the company that owns the shopping centre, say they also hope to add more stalls to the current twice-weekly market with a range of traditional traders touting their wares.

The development of the shopping centre, based in the pedestrianised Unity Walk, off Owen Street, has been in the pipeline for the past three years when CALA brought the centre from St Mowden.

The company is hoping to transform unused land around the centre to create 4,205 sq ft of extra retail space.

A stand-alone building is also set to be created on nearby New Cross Street for more shops along with nine one or two bedroom residential flats.

Roger Telford, CALA's regional development manager said: "We want to get as many people into the town as possible and that will encourage more business.

"We are very keen on getting the market going and we hope to have it running by the summer. We know that farmers markets or German markets are very popular and if it takes off then it will encourage the existing market."

In the past 18 months, three vacant office premises have been let to the Brunch Box Cafe, training provider Peopleserve, which opened last week, and a hardware store.

According to Mr Telford, another two are going through the legal processes to sign up.

The town has suffered in recent years which locals put down to the level crossing on Owen Street, which blocks off the town centre for 50 minutes in every hour.

Councillor Ahmadul Haque, who represents Tipton Green added: "I want to see a range of shops in this town, I think that is what it deserves.