Future of Local Farmers Markets Looks Uncertain


Council says Ravenscourt Park and Bishops Park events must close

Ravenscourt Park Farmers Market
Ravenscourt Park Farmers Market

There has been an angry reaction from the organisers of two local farmers’ markets and the traders who sell at them after Hammersmith and Fulham Council terminated their contracts with little warning or explanation.

The future of the Ravenscourt Park and Bishops Park markets now looks uncertain after the organisers were informed of the decision. An email sent from the borough’s Assistant Director of Leisure, Sport & Culture on 10 April said that the council decided to close all concessions in their parks ‘until such time as pressure on space diminishes, or, until all restrictions are lifted’. It went on to say that the council were going to take this opportunity to review ‘the purpose of markets and develop a new set of outcomes’ thus terminating the contracts.

Since then the organisers have been told by the council that the closure is to be permanent.

On the 11 January this year the council told the markets to close ‘temporarily’ with immediate effect but on 17 March permission was granted to reopen on 17 & 18 April.

A spokesperson for RMS Markets London, the local business which runs the markets said, “Our traders were so excited about getting back to work, this has been such a tough time for everyone and small businesses have really struggled. Then on 10th April we were informed by the Council that they have decided to close our markets permanently.

“We are absolutely devastated by this decision and our traders are heartbroken. We have loved serving the residents of Hammersmith & Fulham and we have worked hard over the last 8 years to build these markets up from nothing. Our markets support over 50 small businesses and having had to suffer closures for 7 out of the last 13 months these traders were relying on our markets for desperately needed income.”

Contact has been made with with Robert Griffiths QC who acted for traders in Hampstead earlier this year and got Camden Council to overturn a decision to their market. A JustGiving crowdfunding page has been set up to raise funds for a legal challenge.

A H&F spokesperson said, “The farmers markets remain closed on public health advice, but we look forward to re-establishing such attractions in our parks when the current health crisis allows.

“The farmers markets were originally introduced to encourage foot fall but as the pandemic has taken hold, pressure on space within our parks has become extremely high. We have therefore prioritised all the space in our parks for the facilitation of sport, fitness, play and recreation.

“We also recognise that the pandemic has had a detrimental effect on local shops, cafes, and restaurants so we will take this opportunity to review the purpose of the markets and develop a new set of outcomes so we best support local businesses and residents.

"Once this has been developed the opportunity to operate markets in council parks will then be advertised through a competitive tender process.”

 

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April 19, 2021