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Booze could be served at new Wolverhampton Market

Booze and late night drinks could soon be served to customers at Wolverhampton Market as council chiefs try to boost visitor numbers.

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Wolverhampton's city centre market

The market near Cleveland Street could play host to a mix of events, with longer opening hours and alcoholic beverages on offer.

It comes after Wolverhampton Council applied for a premises licence for its £4.9 million market, which opened to the public three months ago.

A council spokesman said: “All Wolverhampton’s market sites hold an alcohol and entertainment license, enabling them to hold alternative events.

“The former city centre market in Market Square was licensed and the new market off Cleveland Street has been designed to accommodate many future events to boost the visitor economy in the city centre.”

The market, which relocated from its former Market Square base, currently opens between 7.30pm to 4pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Council officers have applied to have the possibility of extending opening hours any day of the week, so the market could open anytime between 7am and 12.30am.

The premises licence application also requests entertainment between 8am and 12am, late night refreshments between 11pm and 12am, as well as alcohol sales between 8am and 12am.

Traders and customers have been enjoying the new market since its launch in July, with the site now boasting 20 cabins and 48 stalls.

Bigger cabins are available, while there is also an event space as well as a secure site with measures in place to combat hostile vehicles while allowing access for traders to load and unload.

There is CCTV, integrated lighting and power, free WiFi, canopy covered walkways, offices, customer toilets, parking and storage facilities.

Council chiefs hope the new market will provide increased footfall from the Wulfrun Centre and transport Interchange, as well as being close to student areas.

The Market Square location is to also be absorbed into the new £55 million leisure led Westside development by developer Urban & Civic.