Smethwick indoor market to close

Stallholders at the Windmills Market in Smethwick have been told it will shut in October, leaving them with uncertain futures.

The market is part of the Windmills shopping centre, connected to Asda, in Cape Hill and is well known in the area.

Stallholders have dwindled in recent years, with 14 businesses currently operating.

Traders have been given three months' notice of the market's closure, with some said to have been left devastated by the sudden decision.

Market landlords said it had been in decline 'for many years'.

Sandwell Council has said it is investigating the possibility of shifting the traders to West Bromwich market.

Kam Basi, aged 49, who has run a sports supplement stall with his wife for seven years, said: "It was a shock. I always thought it was coming but it was the way it happened.

"We have got another unit in Bearwood but some of the people here don't know what they will do, some of the girls have been crying.

"This is just another blow for small businesses. This is a good location for businesses as we have got the Asda car park.

Councilllor David Hosell, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: "We are aware of the market owner’s decision to close the market giving the traders three months' notice.

“We are talking to those traders affected to see if we can support them in relocating to the West Bromwich market.”

The market was given a refurbishment some years ago when Asda moved to the retail park, where other shops include Matalan and Home Bargains.

It takes up a prominent part of the retail park and on Windmill Lane, where its entrance is, featuring a large green sign.

Smethwick councillor Richard Marshall said it was disappointing for the town to lose the market.

He said: "It has been there for years. I used to go there as a kid and I'm 50.

"The trouble when anything like that goes is it has been there a while and that makes it even worse.

"Unfortunately, it is the way retail is going at the moment, small indoor markets lose out because there are shops which are bigger and cheaper."

A spokesman for investment management firm CBRE Global Investors, on behalf of the landlords, said: "The market hall has for many years been in decline and attempts to attract new tenants have not been successful.

"Therefore, a decision to close the market hall has been made as this area is not benefitting the scheme as a whole. We are committed to the shopping park and will continue working with the other retailers to make this a thriving destination that shoppers want to visit.

"We are working closely with the council to ensure that all market holders have alternative premises to continue trading."