BRIERLEY Hill's market hall has been put up for sale and looks set to fetch around £1million.

The sale has thrown the future of the thriving indoor market into doubt, although the family who have run the business for many years hope the new owners would continue to operate as a market.

Iain Dewar, from Wilks Head & Eve of London, the company dealing with the sale, said: “Privately owned and run markets on the scale of Brierley Hill very rarely become available for sale and so this opportunity is expected to appeal to a wide number of different parties.”

Shoppers flock to the High Street market hall every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the outdoor stalls also prove popular when they trade on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

Brierley Hill councillor Rachel Harris said it is one of the town's "key attractions" and draws people in from across the borough.

She told the News: "My wishlist is that we attract a buyer who wants to continue with it as a market and is prepared to put in the investment that the market certainly needs in order to continue to attract a viable footfall.

"The market does need investment, it needs updated toilets amongst other things but I'm optimistic that anyone who comes along will see the potential the market has to offer.

"All ward councillors and the council would be willing to talk to and work with any potential buyers for the market because we recognise how important it is for Brierley Hill High Street."

She said she understood that traders were concerned due to the uncertainty surrounding the sale but added: "I also understand that they also need and would like better facilities in the market, so hopefully, with the right buyer, we will all get a good outcome from this sale."