BRIERLEY Market remains open for business despite major refurbishment works being underway, council bosses have stressed.

The front of the market is temporarily obscured with hoarding while work is ongoing and some stallholders have been temporarily given new trading plots but the hall remains open on its usual trading days of Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Dudley Council is using Brierley Hill High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) funding for the works, which include the reinstatement of original 1930s architectural features such as the hall’s decorative and historic canopy.

Councillor Paul Bradley, Dudley Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member responsible for economic delivery, said: “The market is an iconic building that forms the heart of the town we are delighted the refurbishment works are taking place.

“I am very grateful to all those involved in making this project possible, especially the traders who make the market the life and soul of the town.”

Daniel Morris, co-owner of Brierley Hill Market, added: “We are very keen for everyone to know that we are fully open and that it is business as usual.”

Brierley Hill Market was designed by Jennings and Homer Architects. It was built in the 1930s as a covered market, under a large barrel-vaulted steel frame roof, to replace a market situated in the area that is now the Moor Centre.