Plan for old museum site to be market

An indoor market could be set up in the former home of the Aston Manor Transport Museum in Birmingham, it has emerged. The historic old tram depot next to Villa Park has been empty for months.

The museum was evicted by the city council last October.

But businessman Ulfat Naeem has applied for planning permission to run a 24-stall market inside the Witton Lane building.

He wants to preserve historic features, including the original tram rails.

Planning agent Alan Garnett said: "The proposed use will be a welcome business opportunity for the local area as it will allow small businesses to develop their services and products, which will, in itself, generate financial activity with existing supply companies in the area."

Ten people would be recruited to run the new market, which would operate from 9am to 7pm, six days a week, and 9am to 6pm on Sundays.

The museum was forced to leave the building after almost 20 years because the council could no longer afford to allow it to remain on a peppercorn rent.

Most of the museum's collection of buses, trams and transport artefacts has been moved to a factory building in Northgate, Aldridge.