Wellington Market refurb – what do the traders think?

The purchase and refurb of Wellington Market was a bold move by Telford and Wrekin Council and while not all traders are gung-ho to get cracking on the changes made possible by a bid for Govt funding, there is some consensus.

Mark & Dot of Aladdin’s Cave which sells hardware and garden bits just outside the main hall told Telford Live that they are ‘not overly confident’ about the changes coming.

Having looked at some of the other market refurbs carried out by other councils, the hope for Wellington is that keeping the market open for the duration of the project and keeping the current traders trading, will prevent some of the customer comments seen by the like of Blackpool, Chester and Rhyl.  In the North West, following their refurbs, the markets are being turned into predominantly food halls, with a few stalls tacked on.

Mark says ‘Those markets have put all their eggs in one basket. The bubble will burst on food. It’s expensive.’. Having worked the stall for forty years, he started at eight years old,  Mark tells me “It needs tidying, but the customers like it as it is – an organised mess.”

On the changes facing Aladdin’s Cave, they are not being moved too far, just shifting one place down.  ‘Moving stock around is going to be a challenge, but we have been offered help and we’re not moving far’.

John drives from Uttoxeter each market day to run the sweet stall.  He’s been running his stall for 52 years. The market ‘..needs refurbing’ he tells me.  ‘It’s always difficult to accommodate change, but change is going to happen.  Wellington is a nice town market with a good selection of trades.”

You might expect the older stall holders to be a little more cautious in their approach, but not John.  “The council wants this as a legacy and will put the effort and the money in.  It would not have happened under private ownership.”

The sweet stall will remain in its current position after the work, and so will John.  “I’m not stopping now.” he said.  “It’s a good opportunity, and probably the only opportunity to get this done.”

In the food area at the back of the back of the market, Zak & Em from Red Brick were enthusiastic about the changes afoot. “The design looks good” Zak said.  “I’m moving back to the other side of the back wall to open up the area.”.

It’s fair to say that the current customer base of the market is mature.  For the food area to work Zack hopes that the changes will attract more professionals during the week.  The estate agents, the office workers, the younger mums and dads that will come for lunch.  

Zack is hopeful that the market refurb will be swiftly followed by a marketing campaign to promote the place  “Events are an important part of doing business in the market for the food outlets.  I was surprised to see them cancelled during redevelopment but the new place will suit us better. Also better suited for food businesses to take advantage of longer hours and delivery services.”

Scott from Chill Out Skate Shop, at 29, probably the youngest stall holder right now.  He started in the youth market with his Skateboard shop, moved out to a shop in Market Street, and moved back into the market shortly after the Council acquired it last year.  “That’s one of the reasons I moved back.  I heard about the plans they had and thought it would be a great opportunity.” he told me.

“I’ve got a rough idea where I’ll be after the refurb but it doesn’t matter – people will find me.”.  He’s not wrong.  There are few choices for physical skate shops in the Midlands, and people come from Chester, Market Drayton, Wolverhampton and of course Telford for his stock and expertise. 

Chill Out has broadened his business to skate apparel and Scott sells his own brand of urban art clothing.  What comes across from Scott is his enthusiasm for his passion.

Fresh eggs and big knickers markets have done well to get to 2025 and even though we still need at least one of those, most traders I spoke to understood the need to change.  They all particularly welcomed the efforts that the council were going to to keep the market open for the duration, even though Mark and Dot at Aladdin’s Cave were not 100% sure what stock they might find when it’s time to start moving the stock from the deepest, darkest corner of their hardware stall.

Wellington Market will remain open for the duration of the work, although your favourite stall may be somewhere else.  It’s open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday – 9am to 4pm.