Extra market day for town
The revived Brownhills market could open for three days a week, it emerged today, just weeks after it closed down.
The move signals a big turn-around for the 37-year-old market, which shut in June following a contract wrangle. Walsall Council last week stepped in to resurrect the twice-weekly market, to the delight of the 80 stallholders.
Now council chiefs say they are considering adding an extra day of trading at the Silver Street site, which is due to be relaunched next month.
A decision will not be made until the market has been running for several months but the possibility of a Thursday market is being considered which was welcomed by traders.
Christopher Charley, who ran his toiletries and cosmetics stall at the market for more than seven years, said it was a step in the right direction. "I think in general the traders would be happy with that, as long as there is some consultation with us about which day it could be," said the 30-year-old.
"Even if some of the current traders did not stand on all three days, at least there would be an option to and there would also be a chance for new traders and traders who may work on different markets to have a go," he added.
The newly-relaunched Brownhills market will trade on Tuesdays from 9.30am to 3.30pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 4pm.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We understand how important this market is to Brownhills and are committed to working hard on the future of this key project.
"We hope that once Brownhills market reopens, local people and those customers from further afield will remain loyal to the quality and value which this market represents."
More than 50 traders have already vowed to return to the market, which closed when landlords Spook Erection Ltd failed to agree a new contract with the council.
