Dates set for launch of open-air markets in Tipton

The markets will be held in Princes End High Street and Owen Street under the pilot scheme, which aims to attract more shoppers to the town.

The market in Owen Street will start next Tuesday, March 5, and run every Tuesday for the next three months, from 10am to 5pm.

Meanwhile, the pilot in Princes End will start on March 8.

Sandwell's economy boss Councillor Derek Rowley approved the 12-week pilot for both the markets in Tipton and one in Union Street, Wednesbury, last month.

Great Bridge councillor Joanne Hadley has been a driving force behind the plans.

She said: "I am pleased they are bringing these markets into Tipton. It is going to bring a new life back into the town. It is a well known fact that there is an influx of people when a market is on, so that compliments the local businesses."

Councillor Hadley said the organisation Bescot Promotions will run the market, so there would be no cost to Sandwell Council or the taxpayer.

Retailers in Princes End fear that the markets will have an impact on their businesses and will be unfair competition.

They also argue that they have not been consulted on the plans by local councillors, and that several meetings with them have been cancelled.

More than 300 people signed a petition protesting against the plans.

However, to combat the fears, stallholders are being asked not to sell products which would be in competition with neighbouring shops.

David Taylor, co-owner of John The Handyman's, one of the shops in the precinct in Princes End, said that running a small business is difficult enough without the competition of a market.

He said: "We are concerned that introducing a market would take customers from our already struggling businesses, and rather than invigorate the area, it would leave it in a worsened state."

The move comes weeks after Wednesbury councillors were given the go-ahead for their own weekly market in the town centre.

In Wednesbury, town bosses were so impressed with the success of their first Christmas markets in December that they decided to extend them for a further six months.

Councillor Derek Rowley, the borough's economy chief, said: "We have had a consultation with most of the traders in Princes End, and they support the market and want to try something different.

This market will hopefully bring more shoppers in and help get some people interested in taking up those empty shops."

Ninder Johal, chairman of Sandwell Chamber of Commerce said: "It is absolutely great news for the Sandwell area. It is always good to see retail building up."