It's back! Axed Darlaston Market returns
Darlaston Market will make its long-awaited return on September 14 - four years after it was scrapped due to budget cuts.
Around 30 traders will pitch up around King Street at the relaunched market.
Its return has been hailed as a big boost towards drawing shoppers back in to the town.
It will run three days a week and is being taken on by private operators Bescot Promotions.
Spencer Evans, manager at Bescot Promotions, said the market would have a wide mix of traders from fruit and vegetables to fashion.
He said: "It is great to have another market.
"Hopefully it will boost the town and give it a bit of life. It has been a long time since the market has been there."
Darlaston South councillor Paul Bott also welcomed the impending arrival. He said: "It was a well attended market and it gives people choice.
"It gives people an opportunity to start a business in the market itself.
"It is another feature to support the town centre. Some people like to shop around a market, walk into the town and use it.
"It also gives a boost to the shops, you have got footfall going in the market that may go into the shops."
It emerged earlier this year that the market was poised to return. It will be trading on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Plans to bring back the market were approved by council cabinet members for an initial two years.
The council-run pitch was axed in 2011 to save £60,000 over three years. The 40-year-old event on Fridays and also Saturdays had ended up with just four traders.
The market in Brownhills also closed but the site is now due to become homes as one part of a double scheme for a combined 200 properties off Silver Street.
It first shut down in June 2009 after then landlords Spook Erections failed to agree a new contract. Weeks later it was revived by council bosses but collapsed again in 2010.
Another company LSD Promotions ran it briefly before pulling the plug in 2011 after it failed to attract enough traders.
Darlaston will complement the council markets at Walsall, Bloxwich and Willenhall.
There are £1.75m plans to create a new-look permanent market around The Bridge in Walsall.
