Farmers' market closes its doors

The market, which has been held once a month at Parkhurst Hall, Parkhurst Road, for the past eight-and-a-half years, sold a range of fresh, locally produced products.

Organiser of the market, Stuart Wood, said it was “with a heavy heart” that he made the decision to close, but it simply “was not viable” to keep going.

Stuart said: “Bexhill farmers’ market, which started in September 2002, has had a rather chequered history, trying to maintain it with stalls and keep up public attendance.

“We have had a very loyal group of stallholders, some of whom have been with us since the start. Over this time we have had quite a lot of criticism, but have been sustained by all those who supported us including the Bexhill Observer.”

Stuart said that a lot of the criticism the farmers’ market received related to prices of the produce on sale, with claims that it was too expensive in comparison to what was available at supermarkets, but he said that those people did not understand the bigger picture.“Some letters said that by cutting out the middleman that our prices ought to be cheaper but it’s a completely different market.

“All the produce at the farmers’ market is fresh, all local, and cuts out miles of travel that supermarket products travel.”

Stuart said it had also been something of a vicious circle with stallholders and public attendance. Despite a number of regular stallholders, many prospective sellers would either give up after a short time saying there were not enough people attending to make it worth their while, or would simply not turn up at all. Likewise with customers, Stuart said there were many regular supporters, but without a wide enough range of stalls to entice the public through the door then attendance invariably dropped.

There were also a couple of other deciding factors that aided his decision to close the market. “It has come to my notice that there are plans to hold a weekly market out of doors in Bexhill. I do not think there will be sufficient demand for two markets.

“Since affiliation fees are due this month I have reluctantly decided the time has come to call it a day.”

Some of the regular stallholders said they were sorry to see the market close.

Beryl Gebbie who, during her four years at the market, has sold a variety of products, said: “It’s very sad, it’s a friendly little place and we have lots of regular customers. It’s a shame because we’ve all worked so hard and Stuart has put a lot of effort into keeping it running.”

Shirley Reed, who along with husband Charles has been with the market from the outset, selling a range of home-grown fresh fruit and vegetables and free range eggs, also said she was “very sad” to see its demise.

And Wendy Mayers, whose popular home-made cakes and pies were often quick to sell out said the markets closure had “come as a shock” to her, adding: “It’s such a shame and also for the customers who not only come to buy from us but also to have a natter and a coffee; for them it’s a social occasion.

“But there you go, that’s what they call progress.”

Bexhill resident Barbara Echlin said in the beginning she’d been “very enthused” about the market being set up. “It was such a wonderful initiative for Bexhill, locally produced food is so important, I’m very sad to see it come to an end.”

Stuart thanked all those who have supported the markets over the years, and said: “It has always been a very happy market with very few problems, and I am sure you will miss it as much as I will.”

PICTURED: John and Margaret Ambrose with Stuart Wood.