Council under fire for ‘failed’ market revamp

Dudley Council has been slammed for a ‘failed’ market revamp which has been taken over by pigeons and yobs.

The market area in central Dudley had a £150,000 makeover in April 2025 which was hailed by the authority’s deputy leader, Cllr Paul Bradley, as a ‘boost for business’ which he hoped would become a ‘central hub and gathering point for visitors’.

Stalls were replaced with seating and glass screens designed to be an eating area and events space using cash from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), administered by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

But traders and residents are up in arms after the area became infested with pigeons and people gathering to drink alcohol and cause a nuisance.

St Thomas’s ward councillor Shaukat Ali said: “I am absolutely gobsmacked by the state of the market, traders are not very happy, the toilets are closed, there are pigeon droppings everywhere and there is antisocial behaviour; people have had enough.”

Cllr Ali was alerted to the state of the market by constituent Jayne Beard, who said: “Would you eat your lunch here? This is disgusting, what a waste of council spending.”

Cllr Ali added: “The tables are being used more by pigeons than people. 

“It’s unhygienic, completely uninviting, and does real damage to the reputation of our town. It certainly does nothing to help our town and hardworking traders who are trying to earn a living.

“This £150,000 market revamp is just the latest in a long line of Conservative failures. 

“The council must urgently tackle antisocial behaviour, clean up the area and work with traders and residents to get Dudley Market working again.”

Dudley people have been having their say on social media about the state of the market, on Facebook. Deirdre Haddock said: “When they announced what they were going to do with the market we knew then it was a total waste of money.

“The only thing that uses the seating and table are the ruddy pigeons.

“Who wants to sit among pigeon poo and have their lunch. Another fine mess from Dudley Council and an utter disgrace.”

Adele Groves added: “I used to like sitting at those tables in the warmer weather to eat my lunch before work.

“It would be nice if the council cleaned them but not holding my breath.”

Dudley Council has been approached for comment.