Market deserted as traders stay away

A crisis at a West Midland market deepened today as just two stallholders turned up. Last week, there was a complete no-show at the once-busy site.

Council chiefs had said they would battle to keep Brownhills Market in Silver Street going.

But the Tuesday market has already been stopped because of a lack of interest and bargain hunters were left disappointed last Saturday after not a single trader turned up.

Mohammed Sajid was one of only two stallholders at the site today.

The 35-year-old who lives in Nansen Road, Sparkhill, and also runs a pitch at the Sunday market at Walsall's Bescot Stadium, said he is struggling to support his wife and five children who are aged between six months and 13 years. Mr Sajid, who has run his computer equipment stall for 10 years, said: "It is really depressing there's nothing here at all, there's just no customers. I arrived at 6am. I will stay here until 2pm, but I doubt I will make much money. I'm struggling to support my family, I think I will have to look for another market."

In its heyday the market, which has been running since 1972, would attract thousands every week.

Walsall Council's regeneration chief, councillor Adrian Andrew has vowed the market will continue, and plans are afoot to move it to the more prominent High Street. He has said: "We are not giving up on Brownhills."