Council approves plan to revamp Willenhall Market

Bold plans to overhaul Willenhall Market have been approved by Walsall Council.

The authority has granted itself permission to install 12 fixed stalls and ‘declutter’ Market Place.

The new fixed stalls will be located in the pedestrianised area between Savers and Compton Care charity shop. 

The application says Market Place is currently ‘cluttered’ with street furniture such as planters, lighting, benches and electrical boxes. 

The plans outline 12 fixed stalls, and proposes pop-up gazebos for additional stall holders at the tri-weekly event. 

The proposal includes a moveable traffic barrier arm to be used on market days when Market Place is closed off to traffic. 

Also mentioned is the potential for a covered outdoor seating area, cafe, and the repurposing of telephone boxes into a ‘defibrillator, book swap or florist’. 

The agent for the application is Market Curators, the company which Walsall Council appointed to carry out a review into the Willenhall, Bloxwich and Walsall Markets at a cost of £22,090 in 2025. 

At the time Walsall Council said making no changes to Willenhall Market was not a viable option, claiming it ran at a loss of £89,300 for the year 2023/24. 

Freedom of Information figures stated that the council spent £177,030 on ‘staffing costs’ alone for the three markets that year – £59,010 per market. 

But traders in Willenhall speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service were unsure what the staffing costs paid for, reporting poor management compared to other markets they trade at. 

The authority confirmed that the £177,030 covered ‘two dedicated officers’ and waste collection services for the markets.

Following the traders’ criticism, Walsall Council launched a Facebook group to advertise the Willenhall event. The last post was three months ago.