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The Market and the press
One illustration of how important the Market is to the people of Barnet and beyond is the number of articles and letters that appear in the local press about the Market. The latest article taken from the Barnet & Whetstone Press, 17th June 2010 follows and then there is a list of the other articles and letters that have appeared over the last 12 months.
MP pledges to assist with fight to resurface market
Concerned: Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers with the Friends and their petition
The Friends Of Barnet Market have enlisted the support of their local MP to lobby the owners to resurface the market site.
In April the Friends started collecting signatures from visitors to stalls in St Albans Road, High Barnet, and have now received support from Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet. The word “Chipping” originally meant market.
Last year the 800-year-old market returned to the site after a proposed redevelopment stalled because of the housing market collapse.
At the time the ground had been compacted, but within a month the Friends group said they had contacted the owners, Melanie and Nigel Walsh, complaining about the poor surface.
They launched the petition, which has more than 5,000 signatures, to show the strength of feeling over the issue. On Saturday Ms Villiers visited the market, which has recently attracted two new stallholders.
The MP said: “It was great to see so many people turning out in support of Barnet Market. The friends have done an amazing job in highlighting and rganizing the petition on this important local issue.
“The market’s owners should be in no doubt about the strength of local feeling over this. The site urgently needs resurfacing. The uneven surface is uncomfortable to stand on for any length of time and is causing real difficulties. Unless it is resurfaced soon, there must be a risk that visitors and stallholders may begin to drift away.
“The market has been a central part of our community for hundreds of years and I will continue to work hard to secure its long-term future.”
The market, which was originally situated near the church in High Barnet, now has 12 regular stall-holders including a fishmonger from Surrey and stalls selling fresh produce, flowers and haberdashery.
Helen Massey, from the Friends group, added: “We’re concerned about the uncertainty as to how long the market will be there – the owners have planning permission for the site which expires in November. The stallholders have struggled on in difficult conditions; they’re stalwart about it.”
Mr and Mrs Walsh were unavailable to comment.
Article by Kim Inam
Previous articles and letters in the press
Barnet Market must be part of plans, letter by Chris Smith, Barnet & Potters Bar Times, 21st May 2010.
Core institution needs protecting, letter by John Gardiner, Barnet & Potters Bar Times, 6th May 2010.
Market is lynchpin of a wider economy, letter by John Gardiner, Barnet and Whetstone Press, 6th May 2010.
Thousands put names to petition calling for resurfacing market, article by Kim Inam, Barnet & Whetstone Press, 15th April 2010.
Traders welcome their chance to take market home, article by Will Stone, Barnet & Whetstone Press, 15th October 2009.
Barnet Market, a bright future, letter by Chris Nightingale, 15th October 2009.
Cornering the market, article by Rebecca Lowe, Barnet & Potters Bar Times, 8th October 2009.