TRADERS have hit out at "rude" Sandwell Council after it cancelled a fun day planned for Blackheath town centre without telling them.

Scores of families with children turned up to what they thought would be a fun event in the town centre on Sunday June 26 - but were left wandering around upset as it had been scrapped.

Sandwell Council had arranged the Shine a Light event which was due to run from 10am till 4pm promising "free local music performances and entertainment, family craft activities, stalls and fair rides, children's trail, roving entertainers and more."

Halesowen News:

Many shops opened on the Sunday - when they would usually have been closed - paying extra staff to work and ordering extra supplies as they expected the town to be bustling.

Sandwell Council has apologised and said it cancelled the fun day due to "concerns about the impact of road closures on the town."

Penny Jameson, co-owner of Diane's bakery on Birmingham Road said: "Traders rallied behind the council and spread the word on social media and by word of mouth.

"Shop owners turned up on the Sunday when they would normally be closed with staff and stock at cost, and waited and waited.

"The festival was cancelled but the council told no one!

"Kids with parents were wandering around upset not knowing what was going on. Traders are at a huge loss.

"It seems we don't matter.

"To cancel the event and not tell people is just rude."

Julie Martin contacted the news saying the event was cancelled and that "loads turned up, Sandwell haven't even got the decency to inform the public."

Shane Coley, owner of Artisan Espresso Bar on Halesowen Street said: "We expected about 1,000 people and the town to be full so we ordered extra fresh food which was all completely wasted and got extra staff in.

"It cost us about £500. On the Sunday morning it became apparent absolutely nothing was happening. People have been saying why don't you ask the council to reimburse you but we can't even get hold of them. It's horrendous."

A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: “We’re really sorry that the Shine a Light event at Blackheath was cancelled at short notice.

“We also apologise that we weren’t able to let people know that it wasn’t going ahead.

“The event was cancelled because of concerns about the impact of road closures on the town.

“We’re very sorry to everyone who was disappointed and for the inconvenience.”