COUNCIL regeneration bosses hope to boost trade in Dudley town centre at the weekends by launching a new Sunday open air market.

Dudley Council has joined forces with Brierley Hill based Black Country Markets to run the new market and car boot sale on the Flood Street car park from Sunday September 25.

Stalls will be open from 9am to 3pm - selling an array of items including toys, plants, clothing, food, arts and craft pieces, vintage and antique goods, hardware and jewellery plus seasonal goods and accessories in the run-up to Christmas.

There will also be a weekly car boot sale running from around 6am until noon – and children’s fun fair rides to help keep kids entertained.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, Dudley's cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: "Dudley is a fantastic town centre with a great retail offer throughout the week and this new market will help to add further attraction. I would encourage everyone who enjoys shopping to come along and try out the markets for themselves.”

There will be free parking for the first four weeks to encourage shoppers to check out the new initiative which councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environment, hopes “will boost the number of people visiting and spending in Dudley on Sundays”.

Market pitches will be allocated on a first come first served basis on the first day. People wanting to have a car boot pitch, priced £5, can also turn up early on the day.

For more details call 07757 403999.