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Mum's 'full-circle moment' after £22k electricity bill forced restaurant shut and left her with no incomeMajor update for Lolita Hudson who was forced to shut her restaurant over a

staggering electricity bill that was never hersNewsStephanie Balloo Real Life Editor05:30, 01 Jun 2025 A single mum-of-two is celebrating a 'beautiful full-circle moment' this week after a

nightmare £22k electricity bill forced her restaurant to close.

Last summer, Lolita Hudson was left with no income as debt collectors cut off energy to Caribbean takeaway, Popz Kitchen, amid demands for a hefty bill that wasn't even hers.

‌ In the devastating mix-up with Valda Energy, a debt actually owed by the landlord was placed on her head, with collectors hounding her even after her Handsworth business closed.

‌ Read more: Devastated mum has to close popular Birmingham takeaway over £22k bill that was never hers

Now, after a major U-turn by Valda Energy following BirminghamLive's contact, she's enjoying a fresh start with the re-launch of Popz Kitchen at a new unit in Smethwick.

Ahead of the opening on Wednesday, May 28, she told us: "I’ve secured a new premises and will be reopening Popz Kitchen very soon I am literally pinching myself is this real.

Article continues belowLolita with brown stew chicken, rice, peas and steamed veg.(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live) "After everything I went through, this fresh start feels like a

blessing, and I’m more determined than ever to rebuild and continue serving my community with love and authentic Caribbean food.

"It's a beautiful full-circle moment to show how resilience, community support, and hope can spark a new chapter."

‌ At the peak of the nightmare last June, the growing debt stood at £25,754, even though her restaurant had already been forced shut.

The bill still hanged over her head despite her having paid a pre-paid meter every month on time. Confused as to how the money was in her name, Lolita suffered a "breakdown" over the stress

of the bill.

A sign at the new Popz Kitchen serves as a reminder of the challenges she faced(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)‌ After BirminghamLive made contact, Valda Energy finally removed Popz

Kitchen from the account, apologised to Ms Hudson and confirmed the outstanding balance was the landlord's responsibility.

The company said Popz Kitchen had "entered into a contract for the main energy supply" with them, although it was not responsible for the payment.

A spokeswoman for the company previously said: “Popz Kitchen continued to pay its pre-payment meter directly to the landlord, but Valda did not receive payment for the main supply.

Article continues belowJerk chicken at the reopening event in Smethwick(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live) They added: "The case was referred to the Energy Ombudsman, which did not find

Valda at fault in our completion of the energy contract or our subsequent collections process. It confirmed the landlord is responsible for the supply and the outstanding balance.

"Popz Kitchen will now be removed as the liable party and the account will be transferred into the landlord’s name." The company said it was working with the landlord on their preferred

resolution.