At the moment, North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration is responsible for the management of the market. Currently, the stalls can be accessed by the public five days per week. Almost £90,000 will be spent on keeping the market going on this basis this year.
A future management body could use printing services that offer poster printing in South Birmingham to promote the shopping opportunities which will be available. There is pressure on those behind the market to cut costs and reduce the days on which trading is enabled. An outside contractor might be tempted to take on this challenge. However, there is local opposition to holding a market for just three days each week.
Bob Whiston, who is part of the Market Traders Federation, has suggested that the site be taken over by a cooperative. He has said that past moves to change the basis of the market have failed. Whitson has told the Redditch Standard:
“They tried two years ago to bring it down to three days but the majority said no – five days won the battle in the end.”
Whitson has indicated that several traders would find it hard to make ends meet if the opening hours of the market were cut in a substantial way. He has predicted that some of the entrepreneurs would look elsewhere to make profits if the three day opening idea wins the day.