Bilston market traders seek advice on rent rise

Indoor market traders in Bilston are seeking legal advice over "unfair" rent increases being imposed by the city council.

The city council has said it will impose the increases, which are as much as 11 per cent over two years for some traders, by April this year.

But stallholders claim they are being unfairly targeted because of Bilston indoor market's success as other markets in the city will see their rents frozen. At a meeting of the traders last night the city council was heavily criticised for putting the future of Bilston's market at risk.

Jag Sindhu, chairman of the traders' association, who has run a soft furnishings stall in the market since 1987, said: "Why are all the other markets not having rent rises? It is unfair.

"We need the public's support on this as the market has had some traders and their families here for generations."

Liz Chell, aged 41, who has run a furniture business in the market for 10 years, said her rent would rise from £450 to £500 a week.

She said: "That is just for four days of trading.

"At the moment we are absorbing the costs as we can't pass it on to our customers because they will go elsewhere.

"It will get to the point where we won't have the choice of closing the stall

"I am more than prepared to go to court."

Outdoor market traders in the city centre will continue to pay between £12.70 and £30.90 a day, at Bilston outdoor market, fees will remain the same — ranging from £12.95 to £36.40 depending on location and day of the week, Wednesfield stallholders would pay £12.70 to £22.45 a day.

Bilston indoor market traders face rents of between £24.50 a day to £31.34 a week.

The decision by the Labour cabinet will also see rises for taxi licences and street stalls such as flower sellers and burger vans.