Forum Topic

Farmers' Market- shame it's not used more

The fruit & veg people said they probably wouldn't be back and all stalls seemed to be very quiet. I missed out on the Scotch eggs again but made up for it with a large game pie and 2 steak and ale pies (not good for the figure but hey, it's cold...)

Caroline Riddell ● 7114d9 Comments

It would be a dreadful shame if the market were to close after all the hard work of Matt and others - it is the best place locally to buy seasonal, well sourced products.I braved the cold on Saturday and was really impressed with the quality and prices of the organic bread stall, fish and organic veg.  Unfortunately, there was only one other customer there at the time and 2 stallholders told me they were unlikely to return.Although the current site is excellent for parking I'd be surprised if it's attracting much passing trade and agree that the Market Place looks a more viable option, the name also seems fairly appropriate...Is it possible to have any permanent advertisements around the town?  Maybe non food selling shops would be willing to carry posters / leaflets?

Rachel Martin ● 7113d

I have not been to the farmer's market for about 4 weeks but I did not stop going because of prices I stopped because they had virtually nothing I wanted and I felt obliged to buy from practically every stall just to show support.  A few weeks ago I deliberately did not buy any vegetables at the supermarket because I was waiting for the farmer's market but when I went although there was a vegetable stall they had no vegetables I wanted, not even potatoes.  Loads of weird and wonderful salad leaves but no parsnips or swede or even cabbage.  I had to go to Tesco in the end.Also the attendance of the stalls is very hit and miss.  The meat stall which I preferred only showed up to the first 2 or 3 markets.  The apple juice stall hasn't been for ages, several of the cheese stalls vanished.  The only regular stalls appear to be the sausage man and the scotch egg man and I am not keen on his meat.Granted perhaps the prices are a bit steep for Brentford but West Ealing is no more upmarket than Brentford and their farmer's market has been going for years, presumably successfully.  The only explanation I can think of is that the actual market is in a centralised area of West Ealing rather than being tucked away somewhere where there is not another single shop around.  You have to go out of your way to go to the Brentford market and if when you get there there are only 2 or 3 stalls you have to ask yourself why you bothered.  Please move the market to somewhere where there is at least a chance of passing trade and maybe some of the stalls will come back.

Bernadette Paul ● 7113d

I don't think they are necessarily meant to be cheaper, however the quality is better and you are more sure about the provenance of your food, therefore it is arguably better value for money than the supermarkets.I regularly spend about £7-8 on vegetables at the farmers' market on an amount of veggies that will last me the whole week- can't say I find that unreasonable. It is probably true that if the general Brentford population doesn't go in much for the organic & free-range lines in a supermarket they are unlikely to find many bargains on the farmers' market but for those who wish to pay for decent quality fresh food I would say the prices are fair.

Caroline Riddell ● 7113d

I've only been to two (albeit in Borough and Windsor), but are they not meant to be cheaper than the retailers? In both cases, I saw ridiculous prices being asked for produce.Is this the case with the Brentford market, that a town with a low socio-economic rating will not pay the price?

The Pseudometer ● 7113d

Phil, much appreciated.

Matt Harmer ● 7113d

MattThere is a lot of goodwill on this forum for the market, and recognition of all the hard work which you and others have put into it.  I am sure I speak for most of us when I say that if there is anything we can do to help, just ask.

Phil Andrews ● 7113d

Jim, and everybody, thanks for the kind words. I agree that the attendance was disappointing. We've now distributed about 6,000 leaflets around the area and put posters etc up in pubs, but word of mouth is easily the best way of passing the word around. I agree on the potential of the Market Square (for that is what it's called) and I have asked for a report from traffic officers on making a couple of alterations to the street furniture to make it possible.

Matt Harmer ● 7113d

It's a shame...that news.It's on such a small scale now..you could be driving by and not realise that there was a Farmers' Market going on...at that Health Centre.There will still be thousands of residents of Brentford who still don't know that the Market takes place even ..such is the level of civic knowledge in some parts of town.I meet local Pub Landlords who have never heard of BrentfordTW8.com..and some retailers with 15 years local experience here too who have never  seen this Forum either!!Matt is the expert who will have made a note of all the responses from stallholders. Does the Area Committee not discuss the matter ever? Long and thoughtful threads have been posted on this Forum by regulars who have made suggestions..about alternative sites, about prices,about advertising etc etc.There must be several thousand people living within 800 yards of the venue! I expect many go to Tesco's, and Somerfields instead. Shouldn't markets ideally be in the CENTRE of town...in a retail area? If not in front of the Magistrates Court..how about in that adjacent minor roadway..in front of La Rossetta.  Not so much space is needed these days!Fingers crossed that the Market can be saved.

Jim Lawes ● 7114d

Never seen it so empty of stalls or people. Only two customers while I was there this morning! Mind you, it was a pretty miserable morning for it. All I can think of is that the fish stall and the like don't really need their power-plants going to keep food chilled.

Nigel Moore ● 7114d