Funding announced to revive Birmingham's street markets

National World - LocalTV

Street markets in Birmingham are set for a £300,000 funding boost to attract new traders and revive high streets. Councils can offer free stalls, mentoring, and marketing support to bring back shoppers and fill empty spaces.

Transcript

00:00Markets matter because they put money straight back into our local economy.

00:07When stalls stand empty, high streets lose their energy and the people running them lose their livelihoods.

00:12Some markets across the region are reporting nearly half of their spices vacant.

00:17A picture Birmingham knows owned too well.

00:20The mayor says £300,000 is on the table for councils to tempt new stallholders.

00:26That means short term free pitches, mentoring for staff-ups and even better facilities.

00:32It's not a fortune but it could give small traders a way in at a time when costs are driving many out and opportunities feel scarce.

00:41Here in Birmingham, from Bullring Outdoor Market to Erdingfield and Hansworth,

00:46traders say support like this can make the difference between carrying on or packing up.

00:51Free pitches let people try an idea without the risk of crippling rent.

00:56Advice and mentoring need good businesses might actually survive and even expand into something more permanent.

01:04But money alone won't fix the problem.

01:06Without people through the gates stalls don't last.

01:09That's why councils will be expected to use the fund for events and marketing too.

01:14To give markets a reason for shoppers to return and keep coming back.

01:18For long standing traders it's a lifeline that brings fresh blood to empty stalls.

01:23For newcomers it's a first chance to test the dream.

01:27And for Birmingham's high streets it's a reminder that keeping markets alive is about more than nostalgia.

01:33It's about jobs, resilience and the character of the city itself.

01:37Which depends on people seeing value in shopping local.

01:41In

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