1 October 2011

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

EAST Grinstead Farmers Market organiser Tony Martin informed the Town Council on Thursday 22 September that he was stopping the weekly markets held in the High Street. Mr Martin feels the markets are no longer viable in their present format, despite the Town Council’s continuous support in promoting the weekly markets with large display banners.

The market began13 years ago as a monthly event held at Chequer Mead car park, which subsequently increased to twice monthly and then weekly, in its new venue in the High Street.

Previously the markets have attracted a strong footfall, particularly in the summer months, and numbers of stalls varied from around 10 to 12 during the high season to rather fewer in the colder months. For the past few months however the number of stalls has rarely risen to 6 and at times has been as few as 3. It should be borne in mind that East Grinstead was a rare example of a weekly farmers market, and hence more difficult to fill with stalls, which by their nature are often one person operations with other markets in the area to service.

The Town Council is now considering other options including the possibility of running an indoor winter market which would include farmers produce and local crafts which could be run on a Saturday. The Council is also in discussion with the remaining stall holders should they wish to find a new manager to continue with the market.

Councillor Frank Osborne, chairman of the Amenities and Tourism committee, said: “If we can possibly help to keep a market going in the town we are keen to do so. However we clearly cannot incur costs, and will be carefully monitoring arrangements over the coming months.”

Anyone wanting to express an interest in taking a stall in an indoor market should contact Simon Kerr, the Town Councils Tourism and Business Development Officer, at the East Grinstead Library or by emailing tourism@eastgrinstead.gov.uk