Cabinet asked to authorise market review
Released: 5 September 2007
Cabinet councillors will be asked next week to authorise a far-reaching review into the future of Wolverhampton’s city centre market.
The indoor and outdoor markets are both running at a loss which last year cost the council £250,000. The deficit is not expected to improve this year and when the cabinet meets next Wednesday 12 September, councillors will receive a report saying that the situation is no longer sustainable.
The purpose of the review is to look at options for the future of the market in the short, medium and long-term. The cabinet will be asked to approve the review looking at three main elements:
• The ongoing operation and management of the market and the potential for a future partnership arrangement.
• The feasibility of providing an alternative market service in the city centre – including a different location.
• The continuing inclusion of the market/Heantun House complex in proposals/discussions on future strategic regeneration proposals.
The review will be conducted by the city council who will seek the views and ideas of market traders and the people of Wolverhampton. Traders and markets staff are being kept informed of this process. Last night traders attended a second meeting with the council’s director of sustainable communities Steve Boyes.
He outlined what the review would involve and listened to the initial thoughts of traders.
Today Mr Boyes said: “Last night we had a very positive dialogue with the market traders and we all agreed that a sustainable market was important to the future of the city.
“The traders are very keen to work with the council and have agreed by the end of the week to nominate a number of representatives to work on the review.”
The review is likely to take six months and findings are due to be reported back to the cabinet in Spring 2008.
Issued by the press office.
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