Sandwell market stall rents frozen for a year

Council chiefs have agreed not to increase fees at its sites in West Bromwich, Wednesbury, Oldbury, Great Bridge and Tipton in 2015/16.

Bosses said they wanted to support stallholders and also allow fees to remain 'competitive'.

Fees are £5 for a pitch at Tipton, Oldbury and Great Bridge and range between £5 and £17.45 at Wednesbury.

Prices start from £74 per week depending on stall size at West Bromwich Indoor Market Hall.

Neighbouring authority Dudley Council has also introduced a rent freeze for the fourth year in a row.

Sandwell Council's deputy leader Councillor Steve Eling said: "We are freezing rents to do all we can to help traders in these difficult economic times.

"We can confirm that whilst there have been some fluctuations in market rents for individual markets from time to time over the last few years for various operational reasons the last time we had an across the board increase in stall fees was in 2009.

"Rents have not been increased due to the general decline in retail trading that has been experienced in the West Midlands and the UK generally.

"However, markets management for Sandwell Council works closely with market traders to ensure that the stall fees and facilities suit their needs as much as possible and this approach has enabled the council to maintain a thriving and profitable business for the benefit of the council, the market traders and the shopping public."

Wednesbury councillor Elaine Costigan said she welcomed the move saying traders in the town had found it difficult, particularly during the winter months.

"The market is doing okay, it's not brilliant, but I'm sure it will pick up as we get towards the summer.

"I think it's good news for the traders that the rents are being kept at the same level," she added.

Former West Bromwich market trader Jason Ricketts who ran Cosy Corner Cafe until 18 months ago said: "Anything that can help should be welcomed because footfall has gone down over the years."

The decision to freeze fees comes despite the council increasing charges for other services across the borough as battles to meet around £60 million of cuts in the next two years.

Burial fees and charges for some leisure services are among those which will rise.

Other increases include a two per cent rise for hiring some halls at West Bromwich Town Hall, Wednesbury Town Hall and Smethwick Council House.