Anger as council bans sale of second-hand items at markets due to Covid
A market stall holder has said he will no longer be able to trade in Walsall after 16 years of selling antiques due to the council banning the sale of second-hand goods on its markets.
Spencer Evans has sold items at Walsall markets for years and is well-known in the town but has said he will have to take his business elsewhere after the authority wrote to traders saying second-hand items are no longer allowed to be sold due to coronavirus.
He said the decision was unfair as it goes against Government guidance and charity shops are still allowed to sell pre-owned items in the town.
Mr Evans, who runs The Curio Shop, said: "As of Wednesday no second-hand goods are allowed to be sold at Walsall borough markets, which is in contradiction with charity shops.
"It means I can't trade full stop, I've been put out of a job.
"I can't claim any grants because technically I can actually work but not in Walsall.
"I've been trading for 16 years. There are other traders that sell second-hand items too.
"I've written to various people at the council and I'm waiting for a response.
"I speak to a lot of different people when I trade, some people buy things for not much money, £1 or £1.50, it makes them very happy, it means a lot to some people who are very lonely.
"I'd have to move to different towns but I'm well-known in Walsall."
Walsall Council has been asked to comment.
