Stallholders pin hopes on no price rise

Sandwell market traders are hoping their rents will be kept the same as last year to help them weather the recession, in a move similar to the one announced for Birmingham.

Bosses in Sandwell were today considering the idea and will make a decision next month. Birmingham City Council confirmed it would be freezing its rents at the Bull Ring markets for the financial year 2010/11, with rag market fees set at £16.10 and open market at £29.40.

In Sandwell, the fees for a stall at West Bromwich market range from £14.80 on Mondays to £31.25 on Saturdays, at Wednesbury from £5 to £11.75 and are fixed at Great Bridge and Tipton at £11.50 and £9.60 respectively.

Councillor Mahboob Hussain, the borough's neighbourhood boss, said: "I will be making a decision on this soon. But if they do increase, it will be by less than one per cent."

Birmingham's rent freeze will be accompanied by a scheme to entice new traders to the markets with cheaper rents for three months.

Birmingham deputy leader Councillor Paul Tilsley said: "It is important that we do our bit as the market landlord to ensure that business thrives – and that new stallholders are able to get their foot onto the ladder. Our proposal to freeze rents is a sign of our commitment to the markets."

Footfall at markets in Birmingham was down by 152,104 to 3,701,643, last year.

Bill Bailey has been a trader in West Bromwich town centre for 35 years. The 63-year-old grandfather used to run the Sandwell Pets & Gardens shop before switching to a market stall 12 years ago.

Mr Bailey, of Hollyhedge Road, West Bromwich, said: "There needs to be more of an incentive to get new traders here. The rent freeze would be one way but I think they should go further than that and offer a month's trial for new traders at half price or even free."