Agreement has been reached between Blaby District Council and Leicester City Council that secures the future of regular
Farmers’ Markets held in Blaby Town Centre.
Farmers’
Markets have been organised by the District Council to meet the growing
demand from local residents for quality local produce and provide a
welcome boost to Blaby Town Centre. These markets have been successful
but are limited to only 3 events per year due to the City Council’s
Rival Market Policy, restricting markets held beyond the City boundary
in line with the City’s historical Market Charter.
Blaby
District Council has been campaigning for some time for more markets to
be allowed and recently received the support of the City Council’s
political leaders. Under the agreement the City Council will operate
the Farmers’ Markets in partnership with Blaby District Council to
maximise the future prospect of more markets being held on a regular
basis.
Councillor Ernie White, leader of Blaby District Council, gave credit to his opposite number at the City;
“This
triumph for common sense has been made possible by the support of Roger
Blackmore and other senior politicians at the City. We never wished to
harm Leicester markets in any way but our Farmers’ Market is not
competing with them. Our surveys show our Market is used by local
people to buy fresh local produce directly from the producers. I look
forward to this agreement delivering benefits for all concerned.”
Leicester City Councillor John Mugglestone, Cabinet member for markets said:
“We’ve worked hard to find a way forward that meets both councils’ needs. I’m pleased that we’ve been able to agree a
solution”.
The next Blaby Farmers’ Market is on Saturday 28 October at the George Public House car park and will be open from 9am
until 2.30pm with a tempting selection of tastes from the countryside on sale.
