Farmers’ market confusion
I reported a few days ago that London Farmers’ Markets had added West Hampstead to its list, with an opening date of September 22nd. Odd then that a day later the page had been removed. Odd, right?
I contacted LFM to see if I could find out why, and was met with a “not my area, call back later in the week,” delivered in a defensive tone.
Instead, I tweeted Cheryl Cohen of LFM who responded very quickly and much more positively. She quelled the rumour I’d heard that the problem was a conflict with Queens Park farmers’ market, which LFM also runs.
“We are confident,” said Cohen, “that we will have confirmation of the West Hampstead farmers’ market soon and are very much looking forward to becoming a part of the local community.”
This would imply that the issue is with Network Rail, who own the land and perhaps the website shouldn’t have gone live.
There’ll be a Facebook page for the market soon apparently. But despite the disappearance of the website, the message from LFM is that all is still on track. Lets hope Network Rail are on the same track.
I love farmers’ markets and have been going to Swiss Cottage every week since it opened in the 1990s. However, I don’t think the station forecourt is the right place for one. The whole idea of creating more space there was to allow more people to change between stations and to give locals more space to walk. In addition, stallholders will have to drive their vans on there, which will damage the paving stones. The market should be on West End Green, Fortune Green or wait until a new square is built by London Overground and ensure there is a surface suitable for vehicles.