Market traders in Sutton Coldfield have been left reeling after being given mere hours to clear out their premises following the sudden closure of the town's indoor market. Approximately fifteen small business owners operating from the Sutton Coldfield Market Village on South Parade received the devastating news on Tuesday, January 27th, that they had to vacate the site immediately.
Abrupt Eviction Notice Shocks Local Businesses
Traders were informed around 11am that they had only until 3.30pm that same day to remove all their stock and belongings. The shock decision came after Geraud Markets UK Ltd, which operated the market, revealed that the holding company for the lease, Sutton Coldfield Investments Limited, was facing insolvency and could no longer meet its financial obligations. A spokesperson for Geraud UK confirmed the company running the market had entered liquidation.
Desperate Attempts to Maintain Customer Connections
In the aftermath of the abrupt closure, traders have posted handwritten signs in the market windows, desperately trying to maintain contact with their loyal customer base. The doors remained locked on Wednesday, January 28th, with a steady stream of customers arriving unaware of the market's sudden demise.
Several businesses have left contact details for customers:
- Ahead Ladies Hairdressers offered mobile services with the message: "Phone 0121 355 8398. I've put a divert to my mobile. You will reach me. I will come to you and do your hair until I find new premises, Sadie."
- S&B Zone Cut barbers confirmed they have relocated to The Parade Fade Barbershop opposite Aldi
- Royal Stitch tailors owner Elyas Matin posted: "Royal Stitch 07429 166 635. Working from home until get new premises."
- Safa's Brow Bar announced mobile services and plans to move to a nearby Sutton Coldfield location
- Sutton Vapes directed customers to their Instagram account for updates
Community Hub with Decades of History
The market has served as a vital community hub for decades, with several businesses having operated there for over twenty years. Bianca Banks, owner of Appetites café which had been a fixture at the market for 25 years, expressed her heartbreak at the sudden closure. "We have all dedicated our lives to the market for the last 23 years plus," she said. "We were all running fantastic businesses that were thriving in the market."
Widespread Disappointment Among Regular Customers
Regular customers arriving at the locked market expressed their disappointment and shock. One woman who had travelled from Erdington by bus said she had been looking forward to a hot meal and had to completely rethink her plans. "I have been coming here for years," she explained. "It's good value and I have a nice meal. I was going to have a roast dinner."
Customers seeking services from hairdressers, nail shops, watch repairers, tailors and the café all found themselves turned away from businesses that had become part of their regular routines.
Business Community Rallies Support
Visit Sutton Coldfield BID (Business Improvement District) has posted messages of support on social media and initiated a Change.org petition calling for the landlord to recognise the market's "indispensable value" and take urgent action to ensure it reopens. The BID has also contacted the owners of the Gracechurch Centre and Birmingham City Council to explore potential solutions.
Michelle Baker from Sutton's BID emphasised the market's importance: "Sutton Coldfield Indoor Market on South Parade has long been a cherished cornerstone of our community, supporting local traders and providing residents with a diverse range of affordable, high-quality goods and services."
Looking Toward an Uncertain Future
The BID has proposed several potential options including appointing a new market operator or having existing traders form a consortium to take on the lease themselves. However, at the time of writing, no discussions regarding a way forward have taken place.
Melanie Roach from Watch Services, which was about to celebrate 25 years at the market next week, shared her sadness: "It is with great sadness I'm having to write this. Next week it would have been 25 years there and hoped it would have been longer."
The sudden closure represents a significant blow to Sutton Coldfield's local economy and community spirit, leaving both traders and customers facing an uncertain future while they await news about potential solutions to revive this important local institution.
