Longtime traditional sweet vendor forced out of market due to emphasis on healthy food options
A sweet seller has been forced out of his market stall of over two decades after a “rebrand” from the council.
Kevin Hilliard was told by Saxmundham Town Council that he had to vacate his plot in the Suffolk town.
Hilliard had arrived at his plot on March 6 to set up his pick ‘n’ mix stall when he received two letters from the town council.
The first letter detailed a restructure of the market and the second one directly addressed Hilliard, asking him to vacate his plot by March 27.
Kevin Hilliard’s Pick ‘n’ Mix stall had been at the market for 24 years
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According to his daughter Michaela Kerry, the second letter said the council could no longer support his sweets stall as they were focusing on fresh produce. The Town Council announced it is seeking to rebrand the weekly Wednesday market event as “Fresh Fare at Fromus Square.”
Kerry said: “His sweet stall has been a staple at this market for years and has brought joy to countless community members. This decision by the town council not only affects my father but also impacts our community’s sense of tradition and loyalty.
“It is clear that many residents value what they have in their weekly market – including my dad’s pick ‘n’ mix sweets stall.”
She has set up a petition calling for the stall to be saved, with 998 signatures as of Tuesday.
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Saxmundham Town Council said they were looking to rebrand the event
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Hilliard told The Telegraph: “I can’t see it being a sensible decision. It is people’s own choice if they buy sweets or not
“I do not feel the residents of Saxmundham have been given a say in what they want from the market as the posts on social media show the level of support for me. I am totally overwhelmed by the level of support I have received”
A Saxmundham town council spokesperson said it had been looking at ways to revive the struggling market, which had been in decline for some time due to reduced visitors.
It added it had been at risk of closing unless steps were taken to safeguard its future and that the Wednesday event had not proven as popular as the monthly Saturday market.
A council spokesperson said: “The move towards a fresh food market was taken by the councillors in the face of the very real concern that the weekly market in its current form is unsustainable. Truthfully, it is on the brink of closure due to poor footfall.
“In our efforts to support the weekly market, the stall fees were waived so all traders have had a free service to help them for several years. The decision to rebrand and redirect the weekly market with a focus on fresh produce was not a snap nor an easy decision.
“It was one taken after months of careful consideration, both amongst councillors, the surrounding businesses, the market traders and members of the public.”
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