Mayor today unveiled plans to
revitalise the region's street markets with a £300,000 support
package to expand the variety of stalls on offer and draw in more
shoppers.
Action to help town and city centre high streets recapture their
centuries old role as the beating heart of the local community
has been set out in the Mayor's Growth Plan, a blueprint for
reigniting the regional economy and raising living standards.
The Mayor visited Wolverhampton's historic city centre market to
announce the new investment as a first step towards putting the
buzz back into market days in towns and cities across the West
Midlands.
The funding will be used to develop initiatives that breathe new
life into marketplaces and support new and existing traders.
The Mayor said: “For centuries, street markets have been at the
heart of our towns and cities. They're hubs of local enterprise
and I want more people to see them as launchpads for exciting
careers and businesses.
“But it's not just about the traders, it's about the shoppers
too. Visiting your local market means discovering fresh produce,
unique products, and supporting homegrown local talent.
“I promised to back our markets and regenerate our high streets
when I was elected, and this is just the start. My Growth Plan
will keep driving the major investment local councils need to
make our town and city centres vibrant and attractive places to
visit. That means thriving markets, new shops, more homes, and
better transport links.”
There are around 20 regular council-managed markets across the
region.
As part of the Mayor's Street Markets Catapult, councils will be
able to offer new entrepreneurs free or discounted stalls on a
short-term trial basis, helping the next generation of local
businesses get a foothold.
The funding will back vital improvements to market facilities,
from modernised stalls and additional power points to advertising
campaigns and special events that will attract new waves of
customers.
A pilot scheme will also see well-established traders given
specialist business growth advice and a mentoring programme
specifically for new street food sellers.
The direct investment into street markets is part of a wider
support package set out in the Growth Plan for the everyday
economy which employs more than 750,000 people – that's nearly
two-thirds (63%) of all jobs in the region.
Historical records show that a market has been held in
Wolverhampton for more than 800 years.
Today's market includes 20 cabins and 48 stalls selling a wide
variety of produce, including fruit and vegetables, meat, fish,
clothing, haberdashery, shoes, sportswear and jewellery.
It is one of three markets run by the City of Wolverhampton
Council, the others are in Bilston and Wednesbury.
Cllr Stephen Simkins, leader of the City of Wolverhampton
Council, said: “Our markets are the lifeblood of our city and
town centres and we very much welcome this announcement.
“We will use the funding to bolster our existing package of
support for new traders, and on a series of events and activities
to further increase footfall across our three markets.”
The West Midlands Street Markets Catapult is funded with money
secured by the Mayor and the West Midlands Combined Authority
(WMCA) from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The scheme will be delivered in partnership with Business Growth
West Midlands (BGWM) and councils in Birmingham, Coventry,
Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton.
