Work starts on £8m Bilston market overhaul

Construction on a delayed council project to renovate a 200-year old Wolverhampton market is now under way, after the first steelwork arrived on site.

Now set be completed around eight months behind schedule in June 2026, the new market will boast better access, a new canopy, upgraded toilets, enhanced stalls, and improved public spaces, in a bid to reinvent it as the “best market in the West Midlands”, the council says.

Work begins after City of Wolverhampton Council’s decision to scale back elements of the project in a bid to save money, despite granting the scheme a £2.5m boost from council coffers in July after “challenging ground conditions” at the site drove up the cost of works.

Groundwork contractors Speller Metcalf have carried out extensive remediation work at the site since traders were moved off in October 2024, including asbestos removal and mine investigation works.

The scheme was originally projected to cost just over £5m.

Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, said: “This is a significant moment in the scheme as we begin to see the new market structure coming out of the ground.

“We will deliver the first class, improved and modern market we promised traders, making it even better for them and their customers.

“In a matter of months, we will all be enjoying the absolute best market in the West Midlands with more modern, more accessible, and more vibrant spaces for traders and the local community.”

The authority had it’s revised plans approved by its own planning department this week, insisting that the traders would be “getting the full scheme as promised” as a result of the tweaks in a statement this week.

The market project is linked to a £20m plan to regenerate Bilston town centre, backed with money from a government scheme.

Greig & Stephenson Architects completed the design work for the project.

Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, added: “The Market redevelopment is just the first phase of our multi million pound investment in Bilston.

“There’s lots more to come that will complement and enhance the market works to drive footfall to the town centre and increase economic spend.

“This includes Black Country Route public realm improvements, High Street Link scheme, £20 million Pride in Place programme, which we’ll be 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, where initial car park improvement works are currently taking place.”