If you missed the farmers market last Saturday in Farnborough, then make the most of the market scheduled for December, as there will be no more farmers markets in Farnborough.

There are many reasons for this.

The market was a very infrequent market, for 2007 only June, October and December.

For a market to be successful, it has to be held on a regular basis. For example, the Guildford market is held on the first Tuesday of the month.

The market was held at the wrong time of day, or at least closed too early. The market is held Saturday morning, finishes on the dot of 2pm. The market should have been held mid-morning to mid-afternoon. It was crazy to strike down the market when the number of people on the street was at its maximum.

In Guildford, the market runs from mid-morning until 3-30pm in the afternoon.

Very poor signage and publicity for the market.

Insufficient stalls to make a trip to the market worthwhile.

The main reason though for the market pulling out of Farnborough, was the lack of support and bloody-minded obstruction from the Rotten Borough of Rushmoor.

The market was restricted to a very small area. It was not sufficient for the number of stallholders who would have liked to have come to Farnborough. The market was too small, never able to achieve critical mass.

No support from the local council either in terms of publicity or signage.

The town centre is being demolished. No one bothered to inform Hampshire Farmers' Market of the problems of gaining access to the site, now that roads had been blocked off.

Guildford, Milford, Farnham, Alton, all have highly successful farmers markets. Alton even now has a successful annual food festival.

The difference between these towns and Farnborough, is that the successful markets get backing from the local councils. In Guildford, a lady is on hand from the council to answer questions, provide support. The Milford and Farnham markets were started with help from the council.

Farnborough is not the only place where there is no support. This is also true of Southampton. The council there is so anti the farmers market that they even threatened prosecution if posters were stuck up publicising the market.

The net result is that next year, Farnborough and Southampton will lack farmers markets.

No one is surprised by the activities of the Rotten Borough of Rushmoor. They seem to hate small businesses. There used to be a farmers market in Aldershot, but it pulled out a couple of years ago due to the lack of support from the Rotten Borough of Rushmoor. The town centres of both Farnborough and Aldershot are run down and semi-derelict.

Almost ten years ago, KPI (a front company for property developer St Modwen) bought Farnborough town centre, they then, with the collusion of the Rotten Borough of Rushmoor, laid waste to the town centre, driving out most of the small and independent retailers. With the exception of Book Boyz (one of the few remaining independent bookshops) and Classic Cleaners, there is little reason for anyone to visit Farnborough.

St Modwen are also trying to destroy the century old Queen's Market at Upton Park in East London, one of the few remaining traditional East End street markets.

Since May, Farnborough town centre has been undergoing demolition. Three people have almost lost their lives during the demolition. HSE is aware, but turns a convenient blind eye.

It is not only in the town centre that retailers experience problems. The Rotten Borough of Rushmoor has done everything it can to shut down an excellent deli that opened last year.

In the future if the people of Aldershot and Farnborough want a farmers market they will have to travel to Guildford, Milford, Farnham or Alton. The alternative is a trip to The Deli in North Camp which stocks local produce.

websites

 http://www.heureka.clara.net/surrey-hants/
 http://www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk/
 http://www.thetruthinrushmoor.gov.uk/

reference and further reading

Keith Parkins, Alton Food Festival 2006, Indymedia UK, 7 July 2006
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/07/344419.html

Keith Parkins, Town centres – a tale of two councils, Indymedia UK, 12 January 2007
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/01/359825.html?c=on

Keith Parkins, Town centre demolition danger, Indymedia UK, 8 June 2007
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/06/373015.html?c=on

Keith Parkins, Town centre demolition hits more problems, Indymedia UK, 16 July 2007
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/07/376266.html?c=on