First day for traders at new outdoor market

Bilston's new outdoor market has opened, after an £8m refurbishment.

The facility, with more than 170 stalls, includes a new canopy to protect stallholders, upgraded toilets, enhanced stalls, an events space and new signage.

The events space will host a celebration event on 11 July officially marking the market opening and featuring cooking demonstrations by chef Glynn Purnell.

The council, which provided money along with the government, said it had delivered "the first class, improved and modern market that we promised traders".

The site closed in September 2024 and traders moved into a temporary site on High Street to allow the 200-year-old market to be upgraded.

Chelle Ensor, who sells jewellery on a stall along with twin sister Mel Chataway, said there seemed a "lot more room for traders".

"The market looks fuller... There is a lot of choice, it's going to be a nice experience for people who are visiting... It's a thousand times better," she said.

Estelle Morgan, who runs a cake stall, said she thought it was "better than the High Street".

"I feel like part of it, rather than being on your own... surrounded by other traders instead of like one long line, so you don't really see each other."

Fruit and veg seller Julie Emery stated: "Look at the new roof, no more leaks, no more 'stop getting wet' and it's just beautiful.

"It's all contemporary. It needed bringing up to date, didn't it?"

Council leader Stephen Simkins, who said he had worked "on the towels" where it was "three for a pound" and a market pub, pointed out the upgraded facility was "next to the bus station, next to the tram stop, [a] taxi rank".

He added: "You can access it from the Black Country Route. This is an amazing and unique asset that this city's got."

Asked about a sinkhole that was discovered, he replied it was "the height and a bit more of a three-bedroomed house, so therefore you've got to address that when you find it".

"It was a five-million-pound grant that we got from the government and then we found out there [were] problems with the ground conditions.

"Luckily we've got great finances at the authority. We've got the extra cash to put back into the market so as we never cut back on the quality and the finish."

Customer Sarah Cook said: "Everyone was saying it looked like a cowshed.

"Do you know what, once you get under there, the lighting's perfect. The grounds are smooth. There's so many more stalls here."

Another customer, Bill Cronin, said: "Most of the people that's passed us have all said it's dark.

"Apart from that, it's beautiful... When I come this morning, the amount of seating, as here now, it's unbelievable."

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