A Cardiff fruit and vegetable stall will be reinstated after more than 2,600 members of the public petitioned for its return to the community.
There has been a fresh produce stall at the junction of Bangor Street and Wellfield Street, in the Roath area of the city, for more than 30 years, news site Wales Online reported.
The licence had been held by trader Saleem Omar since 1998 but in June he gave up the licence and the stall was removed. Stall employee Neil Clark has now had a licence granted by Cardiff council to reopen the stand.
Clark wrote in his letter of application that over the years the stall has “built a great rapport with customers, traders and residents” and it would be a “shame” if it closed. “We have had customers coming to this stall since it’s been here, which I understand is 38 years,” he wrote.
“Ever since customers learned that Mr Omar was surrendering the licence it has been sad and sometimes tearful for them especially the elderly, as they rely on our service.”
One resident wrote to local paper South Wales Echo saying the stall is “missed by all”. “It is so empty at the junction of Albany Road and Wellfield Road,” wrote Gloria Avery.
Labour Party assembly member for Cardiff Central, Jenny Rathbone, told the paper: “It’s fantastic news that the fruit and veg stall is returning.
“The stall does a great service in the area, and was sorely missed by many people when it closed. I’m looking forward to seeing it up and running again soon.”
