SURBITON FARMERS’ MARKET UNDER THREAT

The organisers of the market in Maple Road have started a major community campaign to stop it from closure.

 

The Farmers’ Market in Maple Road has been a great success with excellent fresh produce and a great atmosphere being generated.  It has also been beneficial for the local independent businesses. However, organisers say that last weekend’s market could be the last. Kingston Council’s Marketing Officers are proposing to designate Maple Road a Street Trading Zone, a move which it is feared would spell the death knell for the market.

 

Some facts about Surbiton Farmers’ Market

Surbiton Farmer’s Market was formed as a Community Interest Company with three specific aims: 

• To bring local people together, create a sense of community and make people feel involved in their neighbourhood.
• To raise money for local charities. So far thousands of pounds have been generated, helping everyone from adults with learning difficulties to young people caring for family members.
• To encourage people to shop locally. This in turn regenerates the area economically and helps local businesses through tough times.

Wholly staffed by a small team of dedicated, local volunteers who oversee all aspects of the market operation, from initial setup to crowd safety and street sweeping, the market costs Kingston Council nothing.

 

So why would a Trading Zone be such a bad thing? Kingston Council want to designate Maple Road a Trading Zone. This action would incur the market substantial commercial business charges — a huge hike in costs which would completely negate any profits currently put into local charities.  Designating Maple Road a Trading Zone would also have another adverse effect. Other markets with less community focus could request to set up along the street as could street traders such as burger vans. Do local residents really want this?

 

Put simply, if the Zoning is allowed to go ahead, the market will cease. Volunteers would not continue to give their time and efforts if all they are doing is raising money that goes straight to the Council and not to the community.

 

What is being done?  The organisers are currently working with all stakeholders in the market to find a solution acceptable on all sides. But they urgently need your help.

 

OK, what can I do?

• Send an email to Bruce McDonald, the chief executive of Kingston Council. His email is bruce.mcdonald@rbk.kingston.gov.uk . Tell him that you do not want to see Maple Road designated as a Trading Zone as it will destroy any community aspect of the market.
• Get your friends and neighbours involved. The more people who support the cause the better.
• Come to the Surbiton Neighbourhood meeting at Dysart School, 190 Ewell Road on 8th September at 7.30pm during which the fate of the market will be decided.