Type=image;ImageID=12242;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=The temporary market;TitleClass=strong;
City of Wolverhampton Council announced in January the relocation of the market from Market Square - and will be submitting a planning application later this month for the new site fronting Cleveland Street.
It will provide increased footfall from the Wulfrun Centre and transport Interchange, as well as situating the market in a student catchment area.
Enquiries have come in from the likes of bakers, jewellers, hairdressers, children's clothing and cosmetics retailers, and a variety of world cuisine outlets.
The current city centre traders will have first refusal on obtaining licenses at the new market, which will offer the flexibility to trade from bigger cabins, a secure site, CCTV, integrated lighting and power, free WiFi, canopy covered walkways, as well as comprehensive parking and storage facilities.
Traders have also been consulted over a servicing strategy to move stock with a dedicated motorised truck, which will keep on site vehicles to a minimum and create a pleasant and safe retail space for customers.
This model operates successfully at other markets across the country.
Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment, said: "We are consulting regularly with the current traders over the relocation - and we will be announcing exciting new traders in the coming months.
"Their addition will provide a more varied range of sales lines to differentiate it from a traditional market offer.
"This exciting new location, funded by the sale of Market Square as part of the Westside scheme, has loads of potential - and we want this to be the people's market, where events are also encouraged.
"It will prove an asset to the city centre."
The former Netto store and adjoining buildings were cleared from the Southside site last year, paving the way for the move, which will see 48 tented stalls and 16 purpose built cabins transferred from Market Square in phases.
It is anticipated the move will be completed in winter 2017/18 - but not during the Christmas trade period.
The Market Square location is to be absorbed into the new £55 million leisure led Westside development by preferred developer Urban & Civic.
This will deliver a multi screen cinema, restaurants, bars, hotel, multi storey car park, apartments, and public realm to the heart of the city centre, in 2 phases, over 5 years.
A temporary market has been in place since April last year when the indoor traders joined the outdoor traders in Market Square to enable the demolition of Heantun House and the old indoor market.
Any trader wishing to register an interest in the exciting new city centre market should call the Markets Service on 01902 555200 or email markets@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
The city centre market is one of 3 markets in Wolverhampton, with Bilston and Wednesfield markets also popular places to shop.
For details on opening times visit Type=articles;Articleid=1868;Title=Markets;.
- released: Thursday 2 March, 2017