New chapter for Petworth farmer's market

The first ‘new look’ market will take place in the town on April 3.

The news follows an announcement by Chichester District Council (CDC) before Christmas, that it was pulling the plug because it was not viable.

CDC was not persuaded it would make more money and attract more visitors if it was held in the square.

But Petworth Town Council and the town’s business association were determined to try and retain the market.

Chairman Chris Kemp met stallholders who believed they could set up a co-operative and bring life back to the market.

On Thursday he told fellow town councillors: “We have had a meeting with four stall holders and told them we wanted to support the retention of the market. They now intend to organise a co-operative to run it with our help in the square.

“Eventually the idea is that they will do the whole thing themselves, although clearly there is work for us to do now to help get it up and running.

“We are trying to achieve a thriving farmer’s market for our market town.”

Michael Peet who also sits on the business association proposed the council support the new market adding: “We want it to become like Haslemere where they have a waiting list for stalls.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MidhurstandPetworthObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @mid_pet_obs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Midhurst and Petworth Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.