A CANCER survivor is helping spearhead the revival of Cradley Heath market by fulfilling her dream of opening her own business.

Twig Fields took the incentive of low rents been offered on units and stalls to encourage start-up retailers to breathe new life into the flagging market.

The 50-year-old is turning her passion for vintage clothes and collectables into a retail enterprise with her shop The Walk-In Wardrobe, which opens on Saturday.

The former Blackheath Age UK shop manager is hoping to transfer her retail skills learned in the charity sector to her own venture.

She said: “I was ill with cancer five years ago and after that I thought what do I really want to do?

“I’ve always been a collector maniac and so I thought I would turn my passion into a job. Life’s too short.”

The High Street unit, one of 24 surrounding the market, was in a dilapidated state and has undergone a complete refit by Miss Twig.

Twenty of the units were empty and there were only three or four stalls operating when the market was bought in December by London-based Oyster Properties in a £400,000 deal.

Market manager Keith Hampton said the number of stalls had now increased to 10 and four units have recently been taken.

A butcher and a haberdasher are hoping to move into the market and a nail bar is set to open.

Mr Hampton said: “It is building up slowly but surely. It’s getting better, it will take a while but things are moving.”

The market had been placed in receivership last March and had become an eyesore in the town.