Sandwell markets flourish after fees cut

The number of traders at markets in Sandwell has rocketed after pitch fees were slashed. Take-up of stalls has risen at Oldbury, Great Bridge and Tipton since fees were halved in April.

Council bosses cut the price of pitches at the three sites to just £5 on April 1 in a bid to boost market trader numbers. Before the reduction, 106 stalls were let at Great Bridge, in the town centre car park, but the number has now increased to 302.

Levels have also gone up at Oldbury, based in the civic square in Freeth Street, from 32 to 118 and from 58 to 66 at Tipton in Owen Street.

Sandwell's safer neighbourhoods boss, councillor Derek Rowley, said: "We are pleased to see our new pricing strategy has resulted in an increase in stall numbers let, and we anticipate the reduced fees will continue to attract new traders. However, we may see the initial large increases seen in Oldbury and Great Bridge tail off a bit as the year progresses.

"Although we continually review our income and expenditure and we are always looking for ways to boost income and attract more market traders, we intend to maintain the current fee structure for the present time."

The £5 flat charge on a Friday and Saturday came following a two-year trial in Wednesbury. The introduction of the £5 fee at Wednesbury's market saw the number of stalls let per year jump from 1,800 to 3,900.

Sandra Holder, a market trader of 15 years, runs a bric-and-brac stall with her 23-year-old son Matthew.

She said: "There was only a handful of traders here before the £5 charge but we have had full markets on some weeks since then."

Dave Brown, aged 62, of Tipton, has run a fishing stall for 10 years at Great Bridge Market. Mr Brown said: "It has clearly helped reducing the rates and it has got better."

DIY stall holder Barry Jackson, 54, of West Bromwich, added: "I think it's a good idea, at least they're trying something."