Agenda item

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection relative to the operation of a potential weekly farmers’ market in the grounds of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield.

The Chairman expressed his disappointment that the Smithfield Market Tenants Association (SMTA) had not been consulted on this proposal sooner but reported that the Director had now undertaken to commence discussions with them.  The Chairman went on to state that he hoped the SMTA would not object to this given the limited trading hours and small amounts of produce proposed.

A Member commented that he was unhappy with this proposal as it did concern the sale of meat and commented that he would be keen to know the SMTA’s views on this particular point.

Another Member stated that, if the proposal were to be agreed, it should be made clear to the applicant that this would only be for one day per week and for the limited trading hours originally proposed. He went on to clarify that, in his view, the applicant should not be encouraged to subsequently apply for longer trading hours or additional days if the Market were to prove successful.

The Chairman stated that he hoped that a mutually acceptable way forward could be agreed upon so that the Farmers Market could progress in some form in the near future.

RECEIVED.