Arun council stop farmers’ market craft stalls

Mr Cashin, who also runs the successful Friday market in the town, failed in his bid to widen the range of goods which could be sold at the twice-monthly farmers’ market.

He told Arun District Council’s licensing committee that the main problem facing the Saturday farmers’ market, which started in June, was competition from well-established markets in towns such as Arundel, Chichester and Shoreham.

In spite of offering incentives to food growers and producers, such as rent-free stalls, it had been difficult to make the Littlehampton market bigger.

“I have gone round all the farmers’ markets in the area, approached the stallholders, invited them to come here and tried to make Littlehampton attractive for them,” he said.

Asked by councillor Alan Gammon at Friday’s meeting whether it just needed more time to get going as a farmers’ market, he replied: “It would be difficult. Successful farmers’ markets all seem to have gone this way, with arts and crafts.”

His application was opposed by Littlehampton businesswoman Staci Mendoza, who also helps to run the monthly Special Little Things craft market in Evans Garden, in aid of Raydar, the charity for children with disabilities.

She told the committee she also grew herbs, plants and old English apple varities which she sold at Arundel farmers’ market, yet she had not been contacted by Mr Cashin, nor had other producers she knew.

She criticised the goods sold at the Littlehampton farmers’ market. “I think we are aiming too low with what is on offer.”

The committee refused Mr Cashin’s application but added it would be willing to hear his case again in nine months’ time if he could produce further proof.