Kevin Hilliard has been selling sweets in Saxmundham market for 25 yearsA market trader who has been kicked off his 'beloved' pick and mix stall because the council wants to pivot to healthier produce says they have deprived residents of the choice buy his products.
Saxmundham Town Council claims it wants to change the Wednesday market, which is 'on the brink of closure', to focus on fresh produce in a bid to attract more footfall. 'I do not feel the residents of Saxmundham have been given a say in what they want from the market as the posts on social media show the level of support for me.The veteran market stall holder's customers are also furious at the move, and his daughter his daughter Michaela Kerry has launched a Facebook campaign, while a petition that has already received more than 1,000 signatures.
READ MORE HERE - The last man standing: Key cutter, 57, is town's last surviving market trader after a lack of shoppers and rising costs forced 200 stall holders to close - and he refuses to quit despite losing £800 a week Advertisement 'This man is not just any vendor - he is my father. His sweet stall has been a staple at this market for years and has brought joy to countless community members.
'We believe that hard work should be rewarded rather than penalised and that changes should be made with consideration for those who have loyally served our community over time. 'We sincerely wish that everyone who has engaged with this debate online would come out and regularly support their local market.