A market trader kicked off his traditional sweet stall to make way for others offering healthier food has been told he can stay after a council U-turn. Kevin Hilliard, 68, was given a month to quit by councillors in Saxmundham, Suffolk, who wanted to promote more fresh food in a bid to reinvigorate the struggling market.
But they backtracked after more than 1,500 people signed a petition insisting Kevin – who has been selling his pick ‘n’ mix for almost 25 years – be allowed to stay on.
Kevin said of the sweet success: “I am relieved that the decision has been overturned, but I am still a bit dubious about the long-term.”
“I would like to thank everyone for their support through this.”
Kevin received two letters from the council on March 6, one detailing a restructure of the market with the second one asking him to vacate his plot by March 27.
Saxmundham town council said it was seeking to rebrand the weekly Wednesday market event as ‘Fresh Fare at Fromus Square’.
As such, they said they could no longer support his pick n mix sweets stall as they were focusing on fresh produce.
But the decision sparked a backlash and thousands signed an online petition set up by his daughter Michaela Kerry.
Town clerk Sharon Smith said the councillors have changed their mind after ‘listening to the community.’
She added that the market had been moved from Market Square to Fromus Square in a bid to revive it, but this hasn’t been successful so far.
Sharon said: “The councillors have listened to the community and changed their minds.”
“They have just decided to let Kevin stay and they might make a decision about doing something else or going back to rebranding it.”
