Wolverhampton market could be on the move

Wolverhampton's struggling outdoor market could be moved back to its original home of St Peter's Square under plans revealed today to boost trade.

A feasibility study is being carried out on the possibility of setting up 40 stalls on the piazza following a consultation with traders.

Council chiefs are looking into the plans, despite the need for a structural study on the site due to the Civic Centre car park underneath.

The proposal has thrown the market's proposed move to Dudley Street into doubt.While the piazza plans are being explored, the council today also revealed "trial markets" would be set up on Wednesdays in Queen Square throughout July and August.

Wolverhampton's market was based near to St Peter's Church since the 1800s before moving to its current location in Market Square in the 1960s.

A council report detailing the new plans states: "Traders proposed the creation of a new open market on the piazza as an alternative to Dudley Street.

"An indicative layout of a market has confirmed that 40 stalls could be located on the piazza and 20 stalls in Cheapside.

"It is also proposed to trial a limited street market in Queen Square and the top of Victoria Street to test the response from shoppers. This will be delivered at no cost to council by the company that operates farmers' markets for the council."

The report stated that Dudley Street retailers had demanded that the council prove that an open market would not "detrimentally impact" their business or deter existing customers from their stores.

A more detailed report about the future of the markets is due in July.

Plans have already been approved to boost market traders' business with "incentive packages" over the next year, reducing rates for traders who take on extra, vacant stalls.

The number of farmers' markets in Dudley Street will also double to twice each month.