Market stalls may go in Wolverhampton and Bilston after five per cent increase in rents

Representatives from Bilston market were told of the increase officially for the first time in a meeting earlier this week and Wolverhampton traders will meet with the council on January 27.

Traders have said they believe they are seen as an 'easy target' by the council and will fight against the higher rates.

Last year a 180-signature petition against a five per cent increase was put to the council and traders want to take the issue to full council this time around.

Jag Sandhu, who runs Sedgemoor Textiles at Bilston market, said the council face losing experienced traders if the rent is put up.

He said: "There is only so much you can actually pay out of what you earn before your business starts to lose its value and profit margins fall. We are in danger of losing good, experienced traders on this market, which will damage us in the future more than what the council can see.

"I think they have just picked an easy target.

"We have organised a petition and we want this to get 2,000 signatures and go all the way to full council. When you work on something all of your life you don't want to let go of it but there is only so much we can take."

Traders in Wolverhampton have also said they think increasing rent again is unnecessary and will eventually damage business.

Dud Malik, chairman of Wolverhampton Market Traders Association, said: "I don't know how the council can justify putting rent up by five per cent when the inflation level is 0.5 per cent. We have just had an increase last year and were not expecting another. You feel as if they are trying to get rid of you but people need small businesses and they help to keep this city running."

Councillor John Reynolds said: "To help support future investment in the markets, and because of the unprecedented financial challenge the council is currently facing, it has been necessary to introduce a small increase in rental charges for market stalls. Traders who have stalls on the indoor market and pay their rent in advance using direct debit have the opportunity to have the increase capped at 2.5 per cent."