Becoming a market trader
Wolverhampton's Markets Service provides a number of opportunities for existing and new traders to run your business at our three retail markets or at the wholesale market. Markets provide an important part of the city's vitality and contribute towards its prosperity.
This page gives details of the markets in the city, looks at the benefits of stall-holding and offers details of how to apply.
Wolverhampton City Centre
Indoor and outdoor
At Wolverhampton there is an open retail market in School Street with 46 stalls and an indoor market which includes a food hall with more than 20 specialist food stalls, 101 stalls and shops with a variety of goods, and a unique antiques avenue. Market days take place on:
- Mondays
- Tuesdays
- Wednesdays
- Fridays
- Saturdays.
Farmers' market
Wolverhampton hosts a farmers' market which takes place on the first Friday of each month in Market Square.
Aimed at local and specialist producers, Wolverhampton Farmers' Market is operated and organised by LSD Promotions on behalf of the Council.
Traders can book a stall through the organiser.
Bilston
At Bilston, off the Black Country route, there is also an open retail market with 117 stalls and indoor market with 88 stalls.
Market days take place on:
Farmers' market
Bilston hosts a farmers' market which takes place on the second Friday of each month in Church Street, Bilson.
Aimed at local and specialist producers, Bilston Farmers' Market is operated and organised by LSD Promotions on behalf of the Council.
Traders can book a stall through the organiser.
Wednesfield
At Wednesfield, the street market is located in High Street has 26 stalls available.
Markets days take place on:
- Tuesdays
- Wednesdays
- Fridays
- Saturdays.
Wholesale Market
The Wholesale Market, off Hickman Avenue, provides opportunities for wholesalers, importers and growers from 28 standings, with warehouse storage and offices.
What are the benefits of being a market trader?
The Council's wholesale and retail markets provide a low risk, low cost business start-up to a strong existing customer base.
On market days there is an already established footfall of customers who might purchase your products/services.
On the open retail markets, for a daily stall fee from £12.15 - £33.75 (depending on which market and which market day), you can operate a covered stall supplied with electricity, and in many cases with fitted tables to display your stock.
You will also need to obtain Public Liability Insurance in order to trade on the council's markets.
Market traders also benefit from the council's marketing and promotional activity to increase customer attendance to help sustain the popularity of the markets.
Choosing a product line
Researching what is on offer from the existing market traders attending on different market days will show which are the most popular product lines, and prices.
You may also identify that some products are not currently sold on the market.
The product or tradeline you choose to sell should be something you know enough about to give your customers confidence to buy from you and return for repeat business.
You may be more successful if your product line or service is not already well represented on the market.
How do I apply for a stall?
At all retail markets there are regular licensed traders who trade from the same stalls on markets days.
However, all of the open markets have stalls available for casual traders. Some also have spaces if you wish to erect your own stall.
On busy market days you may be unsuccessful if you sell a product which is already well represented on the Market.
Public Liability Insurance
You must obtain Public Liability Insurance cover to the value of £5,000,000 to occupy a Council market stall.
Shoppers Charter
Traders are also encouraged to adopt the Council's shoppers' charter to maintain confidence in the council markets.