Row Breaks Out over Future of Lyric Square Farmers' Market
Council will not renew contract with company which has run it for ten years
A row has broken out between Hammersmith and Fulham Council and City and Country Farmers' Markets over the future of Lyric Square Farmers' Market, which has been running every Thursday for over ten years.
On its website, City and Country Farmers' Market says: " We are outraged that Hammersmith Council are trying to take over our Hammersmith Farmers' Market in Lyric Square for purely commercial reasons – a hugely successful market we brought to Lyric Square over 10 years ago!
" Your support is crucial as apart from anything else this could have serious implications not only for Hammersmith but other areas going forward, if other councils decide to do the same thing.
" CCFM have the expertise and with over 150 top notch stallholders / producers we run markets very successfully … councils do not."
The company, which also runs seven other markets around London, has launched on online petition and says: " We have started an online petition and would really appreciate you signing it; it take less than a minute and every signature counts!
" Many thanks for your support!"
The petition, which has already gathered over 300 signatures is titled Save Hammersmith Farmers' Market - leading many local people to believe that the market is closing.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council however says the market is not under threat and accuses the company of being "disingenuous".
A spokesman says: " This is simply a business decision. The contract with City and Country Farmers' Market lapses on March 31 and is not being renewed because the council believes it can run a better, safer market that pays for its own costs.
"The council already manages North End Road Market and the World Food Market in Lyric Square on Fridays, which is unaffected by this change."
He adds that the market will carry on every Thursday in April without a break, saying: " We are currently talking to the traders and are confident that most of them will continue at the market from Thursday April 7."
March 18, 2016
March 18, 2016
