Bilston Market to re-open after delay-hit £8m reboot

City of Wolverhampton Council says traders will return to a revamped building this week, around 18 months after businesses were moved to temporary High Street pitches.

Contractors Speller Metcalf handed the £8m Bilston Market site back to the council last week after redevelopment works, which include a replacement roof canopy, upgraded toilets and an events space, were completed earlier this month.

The project is around eight months behind schedule after “poor” ground conditions discovered during investigation works in October hampered construction, and added to cost overruns of around £2m.

Several features of the redevelopment were also scrapped in a bid to save costs, including a 35 ft “beacon” feature and various public realm improvements.

Councillor Qaiser Azeem, the council’s cabinet member for resident services, said the new market would provide an “outstanding” commuity shopping experience for visitors.

“This is, of course, just the first phase of our multi-million-pound investment in Bilston,” he said.

“There’s lots more to come that will complement and enhance the new market; Black Country Route public realm improvements, High Street Link scheme, £20 million Pride in Place programme, which we are working closely with local residents on to spend on projects around the town, and construction of a new health and wellbeing facility next to the leisure centre.”

The market will re-open for business on Thursday, 2 July.