Halesowen News
Sandwell Council cuts market prices to help stallholders
3:59pm Wednesday 17th March 2010
MARKET traders in Oldbury are being offered stalls at up to half price to help them beat the effects of the economic downturn.
Fees to traders at the larger Cradley Heath market are also being cut by one per cent by Sandwell Council to help them through hard times.
Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and housing Councillor Mahboob Hussain announced a flat charge of £5 per stall or pitch is being introduced at Oldbury market which in some cases represented a 50 per cent cut.
Cllr Hussain said the markets’ service was trading well compared with many other markets in the West Midlands and was showing a 3.9 per cent income increase on the outdoor markets compared with last year.
He said: "I am aware that the ongoing economic conditions have been difficult for all businesses in Sandwell and as a result the council is keen to provide what support it can to existing and new market traders."
The strategy has been trialed in Wednesbury over the last two years and had resulted in a 100 per cent increase in stalls let.
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