Brownhills Market saved by council

A Black Country market which shut last month after 37 years today had its future secured and will reopen for shoppers in weeks.

Brownhills Market closed after its owners decided to pull out of the town, leaving stallholders devastated and surrounding businesses claiming the High Street had plunged into despair.

But council bosses now claim they will be stepping in to secure the future of the market.

Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council's cabinet member for regeneration, revealed the council was taking over the site and relaunching the market on Tuesday and Saturdays.

Stallholders are expected to move back on to the site, formerly owned by Spook Erection Ltd, next month.

Councillor Andrew said: "I can confirm the council is stepping in to save the market and will be making sure it continues for future generations."

Stallholders are now being contacted to return to Brownhills.

Tony Larner, vice chairman of the market traders association in Walsall, is among those who will be moving back.

He said: "Everyone is absolutely over the moon, they have been asking us who is interested in going back to get an idea of the numbers.

"I think initially it will be about 80 stallholders."