Petition to save Bromsgrove market signed by 1,000 people

Dec 4 2009 by Paul Bradley, Birmingham Mail

A PENSIONER fighting to save a historic town market has gained the backing of more than 1,000 people.

Fred Stanley, of Sidemoor, Worcestershire, handed in a petition to Bromsgrove District Council in a bid to save the town’s market hall, which dates back to the reign of Henry VIII.

In September, Bromsgrove District Council decided to demolish the hall, despite it being rebuilt just 15 years earlier.

It is due to be converted into a car park, while the site is prepared for redevelopment when the economy improves. Mr Stanley, aged 67 and a retired kitchen porter, said: “Bromsgrove has always been known as a market town but now the council wants to tear the hall down because it is losing revenue.

“How can this be? People are still paying their rent. There’s nothing in this town to come for anymore because everything is being demolished.

“The hall belongs to taxpayers and we deserve to have a public meeting so we can have our say.”

Mr Stanley is calling on the council to suspend plans to knock the building down and let people in Bromsgrove decide its future.

Council leader Coun Roger Hollingworth said: “We will look at Mr Stanley’s petition and then decide what steps to take.

“The hall is being redeveloped as part of our town regeneration plan and the market has now moved to the High Street.

“The move has brought a real buzz back to the town again.

“The hall is only being used one day a week but is costing us £45,000 a year, hence our decision to redevelop the site to attract new investment.”