Final notice issued over wholesale market closure

A council has refused to reconsider its decision to close Wolverhampton’s wholesale market after traders requested more talks.

In a final notice, City of Wolverhampton Council formally wrote to tenants informing them of its position and said legal notices were being sent to terminate leases.

James Thomas, who runs the Flower Market, said alternative locations suggested were not suitable and requested financial support with relocation.

The council said it could no longer afford a promised new market building and had to prioritise services.

Mr Thomas said: "On one hand, it's quite sad. None of the tenants want to move from the site. But it does put a bit of closure on it."

He said the traders were looking for a site the size of a supermarket, with a car park that trucks could use, but the council had offered smaller units "scattered all over the place".

He said traders wanted to get the word out they were not closing but relocating.

The traders were seeking legal advice because until a few months ago they had expected a new building and now had to cover moving costs, he added.

City of Wolverhampton Council's statement said: “Given the council’s current financial challenge, there is no way it can afford a new £6m building for private traders or the £272,000 associated running costs, when its priority is to provide essential services."

It continued: "There is no statutory requirement for the council to provide accommodation for a small number of private businesses, nor is it appropriate to effectively subsidise profit-making businesses with taxpayers’ money.

“Notice of up to 12 months has been served. This exceeds the minimum period contained in the tenancy agreements signed by the traders.

“The council has engaged with the tenants to suggest alternative sites in the city and we will continue to support them in their search."

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