Welcome to
Friends of Barnet Market

News

Planning applications for the market site making progress
In spite of the market site and The Spires being put up for sale (see below), the current owners are proceeding with two planning applications for the market site. One application is for site improvements and the other to allow use as a car park on non-market days. The plans for the market site include resurfacing, removal of the hoarding and replacement with a perimeter fence, new stalls for the traders, provision of toilets for traders, a market office and a storage container, planting of ten mature trees, a market mural, etc. The applications were first submitted by Quarterbridge, consultants acting for the current owners (UBS), back in July 2012. The Council required further information and, after a very frustrating delay, the information was finally provided in December 2012. It is to be hoped that approval will be given before the Spring 2013.

Market site up for sale
The news broke towards the end of November 2012 that UBS, the Swiss bank which owns The Spires, were putting both The Spires and the market site up for sale. UBS have only owned the market site since Christmas 2011 and they started with great plans to renovate it. Why are they selling? Triton, the branch of UBS that owns The Spires/Market has not been performing well recently. The fund manager has changed and the new person is clearly unwilling to proceed with the plans to develop The Spires to bring in larger stores which would cost several million pounds. Now the market site is tied to The Spires, it is up for sale as well.

Town Centre Strategy under consultation
The Council has published the draft Town Centre Strategy document for Chipping Barnet. Once approved, it will be used as a reference against which future planning applications for the Market, High Street, Spires and immediate surrounding area will be judged. The document was compiled by the Council in consultation with local residents groups (including FoBM). It is now in the public domain and can be viewed on the Council’s website (www.barnet.gov.uk) or in Chipping Barnet Library. The Market features prominently and we encourage you to read the document and, if you would like to see any changes made, please submit your comments (as directed in the document) to the Council by the closing date of 19th March, 2013.

Stars join the Market!!!!
We are very pleased to welcome ‘Pigs and Dogs’ to the Market. You can buy a variety of hot dogs and bacon sandwiches from the stall along with very welcome hot drinks. Try their mulled plum cordial drink – it’s lovely! They have a brand new trailer (see below) and the stall is run by Jason and Angela. Angela has been an actress in Coronation Street and other series including Holby City. She has even had her own chat show. Jason is an actor with many credits to his name. So come and meet and eat with the stars!

Lynne Hillan, new Leader of Barnet Council, visits the Market together with her mother (who has shopped in the Market for many years) and Theresa Villiers MP
The new Pigs and Dogs stall