As many of you may already know, Bilston Market is due to reopen in its original, newly improved location over the coming months (date still to be confirmed). Like so many others, we were really looking forward to welcoming everyone back around the market — seeing familiar faces again and finally hoping for some normality after such a difficult period.
As you’ll also be aware, there are already plenty of cafés and food outlets in and around the market and along Bilston High Street. Sadly, we have recently been made aware that another café/tearoom is planned to open directly opposite our café. We, along with many of our customers and fellow market traders, feel this is deeply unfair — not just to us, but to all the existing food businesses nearby who have struggled to survive.
After everything traders have been through since the market was moved, it’s heartbreaking to be facing yet another setback. You would hope that the council understands how hard this period has been and would want to support the traders who have fought to stay open — not make things even harder.
Because of this, from Thursday we will have a petition available in the café, asking for your support to try and prevent this from happening. We honestly shouldn’t have to do this, but we feel we have no other choice. Every single signature matters, and your support could make a real difference.
We want to say a huge thank you to all our customers and fellow traders who have supported us and kept us going through such a challenging year. Your loyalty has meant everything to us. If you’re able to, please pop in from Thursday, sign the petition, and help us make our voices heard.
If this doesn’t work, we are prepared to take it further — we’ve already contacted Stephen Simkins and are hoping a fair solution can be found.
Please come in on Thursday and support us by signing the petition.
Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts.
