Exeter’s much-loved farmers’ market could be on the move from its current ‘windy’ home to a new location in the city centre.
The market happens every Thursday morning on the windswept corner of Fore Street and South Street, showcasing produce including venison, pork, lamb, beef, chicken, organic fruit and vegetables. The market also boasts apple juice, fish, chicken, preserves, cakes, bread and pies.
But, a meeting of the city council heard, since it moved from Bedford Street a decade ago the number of people using it has fallen, as has the number of businesses showing off their wares.
Green Party group leader Cllr Diana Moore (St Davids) asked if it was time to move the market again.
She said: “Many businesses have faithfully come along despite the windy location, but as there are now only a handful of regular businesses attending is it now time to ask if a move elsewhere in the city centre could help to improve the performance of the market?”
The main issue, she said, was ‘location, location, location’. A market in Sidwell Street had done well, she added, and the regular market on the Quay was ‘amazing’.
But, she said: “We’ve sadly seen this one dwindle. I have spoken to farmers over the years and the core issue they come back to is the location. It is very, very windy there.”
Cllr Lucy Findlay (Lab, Alphington), the council’s portfolio holder for the city centre, said she was a regular visitor to the market which was ‘close to her heart’, but added: “The fact is that the farmers market is facing challenges recruiting new producers while maintaining its core ethos to provide a dedicated city center outlet for authentic land and farm-produced local food.”
She said some businesses struggled to staff their market stalls, which could also be expensive to equip. Princesshay has been discussed as a possible new location, and the market could be run as a social enterprise.
Princesshay, however, presents parking problems.
“There is a strong desire from residents to support and hold markets in the city centre,” said Cllr Findlay. “I will most certainly be looking at location as one of the issues.
“We will be looking at all options to make this a financially-sustainable opportunity.”
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