Continental market is planned for Wednesbury
A continental market could be on its way to a Black Country town, funded from a scheme inspired by retail guru Mary Portas.
Councillors have now begun talks to attract interested firms to run either an Italian or German-style market to pull shoppers into Wednesbury town centre. The scheme would be bankolled by Wednesbury's share of £100,000 given to Sandwell under the Government's Portas-inspried High Street Innovation fund, it has been revealed.
Wednesbury South Councillor Olwen Jones said: "I have begun looking for firms and looking for prices. I would like to see a continental market in Wednesbury.
"We are looking for German or Italian market stalls. I'm hoping it could be able to visit the town around Christmas and if it were successful, expanded with another visit in Spring.
It comes after the success of Bearwood on Ice last Christmas, which saw Lightwoods Park turned into a winter wonderland with German Market-style stalls and an ice rink.
Walsall chiefs recently announced an Italian market would return to Willenhall after a 'hugely successful' visit last year.
Italia in Piazza will come back to the town on November 9.
Councillor Jones added: "The Portas money would fund a continental market for Wednesbury. It's been specified that the money must be spent on schemes to bring trade into the town.
"And hopefully this would bring people into the town, and boost trade for other stallholders and businesses." The £100,000 grant awarded to Sandwell under the High Street Innovation Fund is being split equally between the borough's six towns.
