Brownhills market will stay open vows council
Brownhills market will stay open vows council
Adam Lumley The YamYam 4 Jan 10
The future of troubled Brownhills Market remains in doubt in spite of assurances from a senior Walsall Councillor. Earlier this week, Councillor Adrian Andrew, cabinet member for regeneration, accused market traders of being “selfish” and now says that the council will advertise to bring new traders to the town.
Not a single stall was operating at the recently re-launched Saturday market in Silver Street last weekend. Councillor Andrew, who represents Pheasey Park Farm, said:
“We are not closing it down. The market is going to carry on. We will be looking to advertise for new traders. We are not giving up on Brownhills and if the existing traders want to then don`t expect us to do the same.”
The Tuesday market at Brownhills was axed just two weeks ago and the council announced the possible relocation of the Saturday market to the High Street. Tesco have remained tight-lipped about plans to rebuild their nearby superstore but it is understood that the council is in talks with the company about the change of venue.
This latest move comes after the relocation of Walsall market in November to the Bridge after it had stood in Digbeth for 800 years. The move brought objections from shopkeepers, the owners of the Old Square Shopping Centre and market traders themselves.
On Wednesday, two traders at Willenhall market were packing up their stall for the last time. Married couple, Lesley and Lisa Colley-Mason said they have had enough of council red tape and arrogance and were leaving Walsall markets for good. Both women blamed Walsall council for high rents and a lack of interest in traditional open markets.
“It`s exactly the same here as in Walsall, Brownhills, Bloxwich and Darlaston” said Lisa, “Everyone is complaining.”
Their anger was directed at Walsall`s Town Centre Manager, Chris Gregory who was appointed in 2006. Lesley did not mince words by describing Mr Gregory as an “a***hole”.
“The man who thinks he knows it all knows nothing. He`s never run a market and the council have put him in charge.”
In March last year, the Willenhall Traders and Community Support Group expressed disappointment that Mr Gregory had not attended any of their meetings and resolved that he should be encouraged to take an interest in Willenhall. Since then, he has not attended any meetings and has offered no apologies for his absence.
The two women are leaving to set up a market trading business in Spain.
The Morrison supermarket chain opened a superstore just yards away from the market two weeks ago,
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Adam Lumley The YamYam 18 Jan Brownhills Tuesday market axed
Walsall Council 18 Jan Proposals to move Brownhills market
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Express & Star 2 Nov Rents for struggling Brownhills market halved
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Express & Star 2 Oct Race is on to move ailing market
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Walsall Council 7 Aug Joy at market re-launch
YamYam 3 Sep Brownhills market re-launches
Walsall Council 28 Aug 'Full house' of stalls expected at market relaunch
Express & Star 25 Aug Revamped Brownhills market set to reopen
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Express & Star 28 Jul Brownhills Market saved by council
Express & Star 15 July Loss of market hits shops hard
Express & Star 26 Jun Hopes to resurrect market
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Express & Star 19 Jun Market may be rescued
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Walsall Council Markets
Willenhall Traders and Community Support Group Facebook