Plan to extend free market stall places

Free places for market stall holders in Dudley town centre could be extended for another month if the council’s leader gets his way.

Dudley Council has already agreed to subsidise free pitches for traders in December and January but Cllr Patrick Harley says the pilot scheme could go further after discussions with market traders.

Free pitches are not the only measure Cllr Harley has in mind to boost the ailing market and town centre area which has been the subject of recent negative publicity.

Cllr Harley said: “Having gone and spoken to a lot of them they were very happy and would like it extended because they said trade is dead in February so I am more than happy to go and consider that.

“We already listened to them by getting rid of those horrendous tables and chairs, they would like the market closed up in the evening to stop antisocial behaviour, that would be roller shutter doors that would be secured by the traders themselves.

“We do have the funding to do that so we can get on with that very quickly.”

He added market traders also suggested making stalls moveable so the number of pitches could be adjusted depending on the day of the week.

Dudley Council picking up the bill for the stalls is something Cllr Harley is happy with, he said: “It’s a small investment that could bring a massive boost to the town”.

He also believes the offer of free stalls could attract traders from other markets who he says may be paying up to £400 per week to rent a stall.

The Conservative council leader also confirmed Dudley will not be refunding the government’s Shared Prosperity Fund for the £150,000 cost of benches installed as an attraction to the market in 2025.

The benches were removed earlier in 2026 after being condemned for only attracting yobs and pigeons.

The council leader said because the benches were transferred  to Himley Hall they were still in use and the funding did not need to be repaid.

He also distanced himself from the decision to fit benches, despite the council’s deputy leader, Cllr Paul Bradley, saying the seating would make the market ‘a much more flexible space and much easier to put events on in the future’ prior to their installation.

Cllr Harley said: “This is what you get when you get a bright spark in the back office suggesting ‘this will be a great idea’.

“Sometimes as politicians we have to go with our gut instincts and do what we really believe.”

By Martyn Smith | Local Democracy Reporting Service