Possible lifeline for doomed Stourbridge market (From Stourbridge News)

Possible lifeline for doomed Stourbridge market

12:33pm Thursday 20th November 2008

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A DOOMED Stourbridge market may be back from the dead if town centre bosses get their way.

The popular Farmers Market was set to close on Saturday December 20 after promoters LSD pulled the plug, blaming the lack of a suitable location when work on the proposed Crown Centre development begins.

The closure plan caused uproar but, after Stourbridge Area Committee this week received a 1,000 name petition demanding the market is saved, it emerged negotiations are under way to keep the event alive.

Stourbridge town centre manager, Hannah Rogers, said: “There is another company very interested in taking it up, all being well we will be able to keep the market.

“It is important to keep the market in the town centre, it certainly has a positive effect.”

The identity of the new player in the story is being kept secret but it is believed the market could return in the new year.

The market would remain in its current location while Stourbridge waits for work on the Crown Centre to begin, possibly in June, when a new site would have to be found.

Hannah Rogers said: “It would give it another six months to progress, we would like to avoid road closures until the Crown Centre is finished.”

The issue is uniting opinion across the political divide with the town’s Labour MP Lynda Waltho and Stourbridge Conservative spokesperson Margot James agreed the market must continue.

Lynda Waltho MP said: “There are literally thousands of people who come to Stourbridge for this market. The show of support from the townspeople is very strong.”

“Many of the businesses report increased trade on market days.”

Margot James said: “Evidence from nearby towns such as Kidderminster and Worcester shows that a market is good for town centre regeneration.

“If markets contribute to the total retail economy in those towns why should this not be the case in Stourbridge?”

At the area committee meeting, on Monday November 17, Dudley councillors pointed out they were not behind the decision to shut the market.

Cllr Angus Adams said: “The council has not closed the market, LSD Promotions are closing the market.

“The market has traded successfully for six years, there is no reason why they can’t go on.”

LSD Promotions Ltd director, Linda McGillicuddy, said: “We have operated a farmers and craft style market in the town for over six years, and believe the town would greatly benefit by having a bigger regular market in the High Street modelled on the one we are bringing to Stourbridge on Saturday December 6, which will have in excess of 100 stalls.

“This would have required a trial closure of the High Street in order to assess it's impact and currently there is not the political will for this to happen.

“We respect that others are of a different opinion, and believe those with the power to make these decisions are acting in a way that they believe is best for Stourbridge.”

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