East Lothian Courier | News | Town hall for farmers' market?

Monday, 8th September, 2008

Published: Thursday, 10th July, 2008 08:00

Town hall for farmers' market?

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A WRANGLE between High Street traders and council officials over the proposed location of a Musselburgh farmers market, has reached an impasse.

In recent months the market – expected to be launched next month at the Eskmills Business Centre – has suffered a series of knocks in its bid for funding and from concerned local traders.

In April organisers postponed the market’s scheduled opening by three months to give them time to make up a £6,000 shortfall in the £15,000 operating budget. The total budget is expected to cover running costs for six months.

Funding of £9,000 had previously been acquired from East Lothian Council and Musselburgh and Fisherrow Funeral Services.

But at a meeting to debate the issue last Thursday, High Street traders, councillors and community councillors unanimously opposed the suggested farmers’ market site at Eskmills, fearing it would “draw business away from High Street retailers”.

Owner of Wilson’s Fresh Farm Produce, Neil Wilson, who attended last week’s discussions, said: “I would like it to be in the town centre to give traders the chance to reap the benefits.

“The council often compares it with Haddington’s Farmers’ Market but that is sited on the High Street. A better comparison is with Peebles.

“My friend who runs a fruit and veg shop said he loses one third of his average takings when the market is on and that’s because it is located away from the High Street.”

Traders, he said, are not against the proposal in principal and have suggested relocating the market to the Town Hall on the High Street.

“Visitors could use the Town Hall car park or the council could relax parking restrictions on market days to accommodate people.

“We could even tap into the hall’s electricity supply or that on lampposts for power,” he added.

Council officials said they would review their decision to exclude the Town Hall and report back.

Pauline Jaffrey, involved with farmers’ market in Haddington since its inception in 2000 and organiser of the proposed Musselburgh equivalent, said she had written to the community council to discuss the market and was still awaiting a reply.

“The last thing we want to do is set up a farmers’ market if people do not want us there. If there are concerns we are happy to meet with people,” she said.

She added that transportation issues had previously ruled out High Street as a viable location and that planning permission had already been granted at Eskmills. She suggested traders could advertise their shops or arrange transport to the High Street from the Eskmills site.

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